Preparation of activated carbons from cattle-manure compost by zinc chloride activation

Dried cattle-manure compost was pyrolyzed by a one-step process to obtain activated carbon using chemical activation by zinc chloride. The influence of activation parameters such as ZnCl2 to cattle-manure compost (ZnCl2/CMC) ratio, activation temperature and retention time on the final products was investigated. The resultant activated carbons were characterized by nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms at 77 K. The results showed that the surface area and pore volume of activated carbons, which were estimated by BET and t-plot methods, were achieved as high as 2170 m2/g and 1.70 cm3/g in their highest value, respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was carried out to monitor the pyrolysis process of cattle-manure compost (CMC) and ZnCl2 impregnated one (ZnCl2/CMC). The capabilities of phenol adsorption were also examined for the CMC carbons prepared with various treatments.