Activated carbon prepared from corn biomass by chemical activation with potassium hydroxide

With the depletion of fossil fuel feedstocks, lignocellulosic biomass, including agro-wastes, can serve as best alternative source to produce activated carbons (ACs). Corn biomass (corn leaves, stalks, cobs without kernels, silk, and kernels) were used ACs in a two-step process. Crushed plant material was carbonized at 600 °C then obtained carbon using potassium hydroxide 750 °C. The content type surface oxygen functional groups determined by Boehm method infrared spectroscopy. porous structure AC nitrogen adsorption/desorption -196 °C, thermal resistance thermogravimetric method. iodine number also determined. derived from corn characterized with surfaces rich chemical revealed highly developed structure. specific BET area ranged 1600 m2/g 1965 m2/g. High values approx. 1300 mg/g, indicated an extensive system pores their good adsorption properties.