Development of microporous carbons for CO2 capture by KOH activation of African palm shells

•KOH activation of carbonized African palm shells affords highly microporous carbons.•These carbons feature CO2 capacity reaching 6.3 mmol/g at 0 °C and 760 mmHg.•Preparation of these carbons is simple and feasible.

Microporous carbons prepared from African palm shells by carbonization and KOH activation were examined as adsorbents for CO2 capture. The micropore volume and specific surface area of the resulting carbons varied from 0.16 cm3/g (365 m2/g) to 0.82 cm3/g (1890 m2/g), respectively, depending on the KOH/char ratio used in the activation process. These carbons showed high CO2 adsorption capacities at 1 bar pressure reaching 4.4 and 6.3 mmol/g at 25 and 0 °C, respectively.

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