Production of activated carbon via thermal decomposition under vacuum atmosphere

In this study, DDGS (Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles ) was used as the biomass source and activated carbon was produced by microwave assisted chemical activation under nitrogen and vacuum atmospheres. In each atmosphere, temperature and impregnation ratio were chosen as the parameters and ZnCl2 was used as chemical agent. Carbonization experiments were carried out at temperatures of 450 °C, 550 °C, 650 °C and 750 °C, with the impregnation ratio of 0,5 /1, 1/1, 2/1. The activated carbons produced from experiments were characterized by BET and FTIR. The activated carbon with the highest surface area (961,42 m2/g) was obtained at vacuum atmosphere at 550 °C and impregnation ratio of 1/1. Finally, activated carbons chosen according to BET analysis results were investigated methylen blue adsorption capasities. The maximum adsorption capasities were obtained at 550 °C and impregnation ratio of 1/1 both nitrogen (186 mg/g) and vacuum atmosphere (215 mg/g).