Preparation and characterization of activated carbon from sunflower seed oil residue via microwave assisted K2CO3 activation

► Highlight the renewable use of sunflower seed oil residue. ► Activation time of 8 min at the microwave input power of 600 W. ► High BET and Langmuir surface area of 1411.55 and 2137.72 m2/g. ► Monolayer adsorption capacity for methylene blue of 473.44 mg/g. ► Monolayer adsorption capacity for acid blue of 430.37 mg/g.