Activated Carbon from Dates Stone by ZnCl2 Activation

Abstract. A study of the effect of preparation conditions on the yieldand quality of activated carbon (AC) produced from dates’ stoneswas made using zinc chloride as an activator. The optimumconditions for AC production was evaluated based on thedetermination of various adsorption parameters of methylene blue(MB) and phenol. Using MB as an adsorbate it was found that theoptimum ratio of activator to dates’ stones (R) is 2. The maximumunit capacity for MB was 148 mg/g at carbonization time (Ct) = 1hour and carbonization temperature (CT) = 600 OC and thecorresponding yield was 32%. Milder conditions (Ct = 0.5 hr and CT= 500OC) produced AC with maximum adsorption capacity of 286.3mg/g with a yield of 31%.Using phenol as an adsorbate it was found that the optimumvalue of R = 0.5. The maximum unit capacity for phenol was 19mg/g at Ct = 3 hours and CT = 600 OC and AC yield of 47.3%. Onthe other hand milder conditions (Ct = 0.5 hr and CT = 500OC) wererequired to produce AC with maximum capacity for phenol removalof 75.0 mg/g and AC yield of 64.6%.