Preparation and characterization of activated carbon derived from Typha latifolia (cattail grass) using H3PO4 and KOH as impregnating agents

Abstract

In this study, activated carbons were successfully prepared from typha latifolia. The Activated Carbons were produced using potassium hydroxide (KOH) and phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) as the impregnating agents and carbonized for 1h in a flow of N₂ gas at 700^oC using tubular furnace. The Activated Carbons were analyzed by various characterization techniques such as Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermo-gravimetric Analysis (TGA), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) techniques . The BET results shows that the activated carbon impregnated with H₃PO₄ gives a surface area of 1083.733 m²/g with a pore volume of 0.988 cc/g, followed by KOH activated carbon with surface area value of 501.999 m²/g with a pore volume 0.253 cc/g. Lower surface area (352.490 m²/g )with a pore volume (0.217 cc/g) were observed from the untreated activated carbon. The SEM micrographs of the activated carbons (Acs) revealed a heterogeneous surface structure with different pore sizes. The XRD analysis results depicted the amorphous carbon structure of the produced Acs with a broad peak at around 2θ = 25, 26 and 27 degrees. The TGA shows a major weight loss of about 73% for TLP-AC and 81% for TLK-AC. The functional groups present on the Acs were determined by FTIR analysis and the presence of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups confirms the presence of the anticipated functional groups in the as-produced materials.