Synthesis and characterization of activated carbon from Bambusa vulgaris striata using two-step KOH activation

The present work aims to investigate the textural, morphology and chemical characteristics of activated carbon synthesized from Bambusa vulgaris striata as an abundant lignocellulosic precursor. A two-step chemical activation using KOH in N2 atmosphere was adopted. The well-developed porosity and surface chemistry of the porous carbon material were investigated by Brunauer–Emmet–Teller (BET), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Herein, the optimum conditions for producing activated carbon were recognized to be: activation temperature of 800 °C with impregnation weight ratio of char to KOH 1:3 for 1 h of activation time, which have resulted 980 m2/g and 0.559 cm3/g of BET surface area and total pore volume, respectively. The SEM images exhibited advanced high porosity development formed by oxidation-reduction reaction while FTIR confirmed the presence of various surface functional groups.