Utilization of rice husks as a feedstock for preparation of activated carbon by microwave induced KOH and K2CO3 activation

The K2CO3-activated sample showed higher yield and better pore structures and adsorption capacity development than the KOH-activated sample, with a BET surface area, total pore volume and monolayer adsorption capacity of 1165 m2/g, 0.78 cm3/g and 441.52 mg/g, respectively. The results revealed the feasibility of microwave heating for preparation of high surface area activated carbons from rice husks via K2CO3 activation.