Development of Activated Carbon Using One Step Carbonization and Activation Reaction by Polymer Blend Method

In the present work, a one step carbon activation process was developed by stabilized poly-blend. It is carbonized in nitrogen atmosphere and activated in steam in one step for known interval of times to enhance the surface area and develop interconnected porosity. The weight-loss behavior during steam activation of stabilized poly-blend at different temperatures, surface area and pore size distribution were studied to identify the optimum synthesis parameters. The results of surface characteristics were compared with those of activated carbon prepared by carbonization and activation in two steps. It was found that activation temperature has profound effect on surface characteristics. As activation temperature was raised from 800 °C to 1150 °C, surface area of activated carbon increased about three times. In addition to surface area, average pore diameter also increases with increasing activation temperature. Thus, activated carbon with high percentage of porosity and surface area can be developed by controlling the activation temperature during activation process.