The effects of carbonization temperature on pore development in palm-shell-based activated carbon Original Research Article

A series of experiments have been conducted to study the effects of carbonization temperature on pore development in palm shell activated carbon. Activation of char prepared at 500, 800 and 900°C was performed at 820°C in a fluidized bed reactor. Activated carbon prepared from high temperature char had a significant amount of micropore volume. For all carbonization temperatures investigated, both micropore and macropore volumes showed maximum values at intermediate carbon burn-off. Only a small amount of mesopore was developed in the initial stage of activation. However, as the level of burn-off increased, a rapid development in mesopore was observed. No clear pattern was demonstrated on the effects of carbonization temperature on the development of mesopore and macropore volumes.