Preparation of Activated Carbon with Large Specific Surface Area from Reed Black Liquor

Activated carbon with large specific surface area and well-developed porosity was prepared from pyrolysis of K2CO3-impregnated lignin precipitated from reed pulp black liquors. The impregnation ratio was 1:1. The effect of activation temperature upon the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area and pore volume of the carbon was closely investigated. Increasing activation temperature led to an opening and widening of the porous structure below 800°C. Above 800°C, the excess widening of pore led to the decrease of BET surface area and micropore volume. The BET surface area and pore volume of the carbon activated at 800°C were 1395 m2 g−1 and 0.7702 ml g−1, respectively. The potential application of the carbon activated at 800°C for removal of Cr (VI) was also investigated. The experimental results showed that it had good adsorption capacity.