Preparation and Characterization of Activated Carbon derived from Fluted Pumpkin Stem Waste (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F)

Abstract

Powdered activated carbon was prepared from activated carbon derived from fluted pumpkin stem waste. Carbonisation was done at 350 o C for two hours and allowed to cool at room temperature for three hours before activation with 0.3M H 3PO 4 (Ortho phosphoric acid) and heated to 300 o C for thirty minutes. Characterization of pH, bulk density, pHpzc, porosity and iodine number was conducted and compared to a commercial activated carbon. The data obtained when subjected to t-Test statistical analysis showed that, the activated carbon samples, t exp < DF for the following properties, volatile matter, phenol content of the activated carbons and particle density indicating no significant difference on both activated carbon. A significant difference in the properties of moisture, pH, porosity, ash content, iodine number, carboxylic acid content, lactones, pHpzc and basic sites content were observed on the activated carbons.