The Production and Characterization of Activated Carbon Using Pistachio Shell through Carbonization and CO2 Activation

Abstract

In this study, Activated carbon from pistachio shell has been successfully produced through carbonization and CO2 activation. The pistachio shell has been carbonized at 300,400,500,600,700,800,900,1000oC temperature, 100 and 500ml/min inert nitrogen atmosphere. Char, liquid and gases yields have been investigated during carbonization process. In the carbonization, generally the solid yield decreases as the temperature increases, while the gas efficiency increases. The increase in liquid yield was lower than the gas yield. Carbonized samples were subjected to physical activation with carbon dioxide at a flow rate of 100 ml / min at 800oC and 900oC. As a result of carbon dioxide activation, BET surface area values were obtained in the range of 16, 66-857, 13 m2 / g. The highest surface area was obtained as 857,13 m2 / g at 600oC carbonization temperature, 100 ml / min nitrogen flow rate and 800oC activation temperature 100 ml / min carbon dioxide flow rate. The mean pore diameter values of the activated carbon samples were measured in the range of 2.07-4.06 nm. The average pore size distribution of some of the samples is in a relatively narrow range and is mostly of molecular sieve size in nano pore size. According to XRD results, all samples were found to be amorphous