Production of magnetic activated carbon from waste biomass and investigation of adsorption capacity

The aim of this thesis is to produce activated carbons with high surface area and magnetic properties in a shorter time compared to conventional methods by using tea factory wastes, which are biomass waste, and to perform characterization (surface area, pore size distribution, surface functional groups) analyzes of the produced activated carbons. Magnetic activated carbons (MAK) were produced by chemical activation method and ZnCl2 and H3PO4 were used as activation agents. In order to gain magnetic properties, iron compounds were tested at different rates. In MAK production, carbonization and activation processes were carried out in a modified domestic microwave oven in an inert environment. Within the scope of the thesis, activated carbons with magnetic properties were produced from the tea waste starting material. The effects of iron compounds ratio, microwave time and microwave power on the properties of the produced activated carbons were investigated. Activated carbon with the best magnetic properties among the produced magnetic activated carbon samples was obtained at 50 % microwave power (ÇA-Et-Zn-Fe2-3-7(1:2)50%) in which iron compounds were added directly to the tea waste. The surface area of this activated carbon was 552 m2/g, and the saturation magnetization value was found to be 12.1 emu/g. The methylene blue adsorption capacity of magnetic activated carbon was determined as 164.96 mg/g. Adding magnetic properties to activated carbons shows promise in separating activated carbon from the liquid phase, especially in adsorption studies.