Optimization of Production Conditions for Activated Carbons from Rice Husk by Potassium Carbonate Using Response Surface Methodology

Abstract:

A three-factor-three-level experiment was developed by the central composite design (CCD) and Response surface methodology to discuss the effects of concentration of K₂CO₃, activation temperature and time on the adsorption capacity of the activated carbon (AC) derived from the rice husk and to identify the key preparation parameters. The performance of the AC was characterized by nitrogen adsorption isotherm as Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. The optimal parameters were obtained: Rice husk was soaked in K₂CO₃ solution (2.32 mol/L) with an impregnation ratio (rice husk: K₂CO₃=1:3) (wt. %), activated at 1239 K for 0.48 h. The results showed that iodine adsorption capacity of the AC was 1268.52 mg/g, the error between the models predicted (1356.98 mg/g) was only 6.2%. The AC has a large apparent surface area (S_BET = 1312 m²/g), total pore volume (0.78 cm³/g) and average pore diameter (11.92 Å).

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 1053)
• Pages: 303-310
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.1053.303
• Online since: October 2014
• Authors: Mian Wu Meng*, Cong Liang Qi, Qing Ye Liu, Liang Lv, Hao Ai, Zhen Ming Zhou, Tao Zhang, Hua Jiang, Cai Yan Kang, Si Yu Huang
• Keywords: Activated Carbon, CCD, Rice Husk, RSM

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