Synthesis of activated carbon from lignocellulosic biomass and its applications in air pollution control—a review

•The synthesis of activated carbon from lignocellulosic biomass sources was reviewed.•Preparation of activated carbon can be divided into two steps; carbonization and activation.•Activated carbon is a good adsorbent for reducing air pollution under various applications.

This review compiles the work done by various researchers on synthesis of activated carbon from lignocellulosic biomass and its applications in air pollution control. The general methods for preparation of lignocellulosic activated carbon as adsorption materials are discussed. The effect of carbonization and activation parameters such as temperature, heating rate, gas flow rate, activating agent, and residence time toward properties of activated carbon were reviewed. These parameters were related to the utilization of lignocellulosic activated carbon in air pollution control: removal of SO2, removal of NO2, simultaneous removal of SO2 and NOx, removal of H2S, and removal of VOC. Under appropriate activation conditions, it is possible to obtain activated carbon with surface area and pore volume as high as 3000 m2/g and 1.5 cm3/g, respectively, which could be considered as a good sorbent. Converting lignocellulosic biomass into activated carbon could solve environmental problems such as agricultural waste and air pollutions control.