Preparation of activated carbons from cherry stones by activation with potassium hydroxide

Using cherry stones, the preparation of activated carbon has been undertaken in the present study by chemical activation with potassium hydroxide. A series of KOH-activated products was prepared by varying the carbonisation temperature in the 400–900 8C range. Such products were characterised texturally by gas adsorption (N2, 196 8C), mercury porosimetry, and helium and mercury density measurements. FT-IR spectroscopy was also applied. The carbons prepared as a rule are microporous and macroporous solids. The degree of development of surface area and porosity increases with increasing carbonisation temperature. For the carbon heated at 900 8C the specific surface area (BET) is 1624 m2 g 1, the micropore volume is 0.67 cm3 g 1, the mesopore volume is 0.28 cm3 g 1, and the macropore volume is 1.84 cm3 g 1.