Preparation and characterization of activated carbon from pistachio nut shells via microwave-induced chemical activation

In this work, pistachio nut shell, a biomass residue abundantly available from the pistachio nut processing industries, was utilized as a feedstock for the preparation of activated carbon (PSAC) via microwave assisted KOH activation. The activation step was performed at the microwave input power of 600 W and irradiation time of 7 min. The porosity, functional and surface chemistry were featured by means of low temperature nitrogen adsorption, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Result showed that the BET surface area, Langmuir surface area, and total pore volume of PSAC were 700.53 m2 g−1, 1038.78 m2 g−1 and 0.375 m3 g−1, respectively. The adsorptive property of PSAC was tested using methylene blue dye as the targeted adsorbate. Equilibrium data was best fitted by the Langmuir isotherm model, showing a monolayer adsorption capacity of 296.57 mg g−1. The study revealed the potentiality of microwave-induced activation as a viable activation method.

► Pistachio nut shell activated carbon (PSAC) was prepared via microwave assisted KOH activation.
► The activation step was performed at the microwave input power of 600 W and irradiation time of 7 min.
► BET surface area of PSAC was 700.53 m2/g.
► Monolayer adsorption capacity of PSAC for MB was 296.57 mg/g.