Hydrothermal and conventional H3PO4 activation of two natural bio-fibers Original Research Article

Two phosphoric acid activation procedures; Activation after Hydrothermal Impregnation (recently published) and Activation after Incipient Wetness Impregnation instead of conventional impregnation are analyzed in two natural bio-fiber precursors: banana pseudostem and coconut fiber matting. Both procedures are compared analyzing, in both precursors, the influence that variables such as H3PO4/precursor ratio, activation temperature and impregnation time have on the resulting activated carbons (ACs) properties. The work also pays special attention to the mesoporosity development and the application of these ACs to adsorb gasoline vapors.