Conversion of powdered active carbon into monoliths without reducing specific surface area using H3PO4-impregnated waste sawdust

•We use H3PO4-loaded waste sawdust to shape powdery active carbon (PAC) into monoliths.•The used binder was easy to make.•The binder shaped PAC into monoliths without reducing specific surface area.

Powdered active carbon was converted into active carbon monoliths (ACMs) without reducing specific surface (SSA) by adding H3PO4-impregnated waste sawdust (HIWS) before extrusion. The effects of activation time on the morphologies, textural properties, and compression strength of the prepared ACMs were investigated. The HIWS could act as an easy-making binder for conversion of powdered active carbon into ACMs having a higher SSA than the powdered active carbon. The SSA and compression strength of the ACMs increased with prolonging the activation time. Monolithic active carbon with a SSA of 715 m2/g and compression strength of 4.8 MPa was produced by heating at 560 °C for 160 min. This research might lead to cost-effective conversion of powdered active carbon into ACMs without compromising SSA.