Preparation, characterization and evaluation of adsorptive properties of orange peel based activated carbon via microwave induced K2CO3 activation

► Highlight the renewable use of orange peel. ► Evaluate the effects of impregnation ratio, microwave power and radiation time. ► Short activation time of 6 min and low chemical impregnation ratio of 1.25. ► High BET and Langmuir surface area of 1104 and 1661 m2/g. ► Monolayer adsorption capacity of 382.75 mg/g and carbon yield of 80.99%.