Synthesis and Characterization of Sugarcane Bagasse Based Activated Carbon: Effect of Impregnation Ratio of ZnCl2

Abstract

Series of activated carbons (ACs) have been prepared from Sugarcane bagasse powder by ZnCl₂ activation at various impregnation ratios of ZnCl₂ to Sugarcane bagasse powder of 0.25:1, 0.5:1, 1:1 and 2:1 by weight. Characteristics of the activated carbons (ACs) were determined by iodine number, methylene blue number, surface area, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction. Iodine number (I_N) indicated that, microporosity of the AC were increased with increasing impregnation ratio ZnCl₂ to Sugarcane bagasse upto 1:1 then started to decrease. However, mesoporosity as well as surface area was increased progressively. The maximum value of iodine number (868 mg/g) was achieved in the AC prepared at impregnation ratio of ZnCl₂ to sugarcane bagasse 1:1. SEM micrographs also show the presence of well developed pores on its surface of AC-1. The broad peaks in the XRD patterns indicated that, all the ACs is amorphous materials. From results, it is concluded that ZnCl₂ concentration used in impregnation is effective for development of porosity and surface area of the AC prepared from Sugarcane bagasse.