Comparison on Pore Development of Activated Carbon Produced from Scrap Tire by Hydrochloric Acid and Sulfuric Acid

Abstract

Two activated carbons employing Scrap Tire as precursor were produced by using two different activating agents, HCl and H 2 SO 4 (fixed impregnation ratio 1:1). Both of activated carbons were allowed by single-step to get difference carbonized at 500, 600 and 700°C in a muffle furnace for 1 h. Activated carbons differed with the physical structure, chemical and adsorption properties which were derived from Scanning Electron Microscope, and N 2 adsorption/desorption isotherms. Batched sorption studies were performed to compare the iodine and methylene blue adsorption properties of two carbons. The carbon materials obtained from sulfuric acid activation of 500°C has BET surface area as high as 1066.70 m 2 /g, Methylene blue adsorption and Iodine number of 288.90 and 590.50 mg/g, respectively. The surface area and adsorption properties of carbon produced using sulfuric acid activation were higher than that produced using hydrochloric acid activation. The results suggest the feasibility of the process from the point of view of both porous texture and adsorption yield.