An innovative approach to develop microporous activated carbons in oxidising atmosphere

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate a rather oxidising atmosphere such as air for the development of a microporous activated carbon from demineralised kraft lignin. Demineralisation of lignin makes the precursor low in reactivity and hence can allow the use of more oxidising atmospheres. Control of the activation conditions allowed development of microporous activated carbons with type I N2 adsorption isotherms from demineralised kraft lignin having micropore volumes and mean micropore widths up to 0.374 cm3 g−1 and 1.12 nm, respectively. A unique feature of this study is to prepare high surface area (1305 m2 g−1) microporous activated carbon at a high temperature (950 °C) in air atmosphere. The effect of temperature on the surface area, micropore volume, mean micropore width and total pore volume was also studied for the development of activated carbons from the precursor in the range 550–1050 °C.