On the preparation and characterization of activated carbon from mangosteen shell

Activated carbon derived from mangosteen shells has been prepared by K2CO3 activation utilizing two stage carbonization process in a self-generated atmosphere. Experiments were carried out at different K2CO3/char (K/C) ratios, carbonization temperatures and retention time, which had significant effect on the performances of activated carbons (expressed in terms of iodine and methylene blue numbers and yield). Specific surface area of activated carbon was maximum as 1123 m2 g−1 at 900 °C with activation duration of 2 h and at a K2CO3/char mass ratio of 1.0. The porous properties, surface microstructure in addition to the surface functional groups of the prepared carbons were characterized by N2 adsorption/desorption isotherm, FE-SEM and FTIR, respectively.