Preparation and characterization of bamboo-based activated carbon by phosphoric acid activation

Activated carbons were prepared from bamboo by phosphoric acid activation. Samples were characterized by N2 adsorption, Boehm titration, gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The adsorption capacity, specific surface area, pore structure, surface functional groups and microstructure of the bamboo-based activated carbon were compared with those of coconut shell-based activated carbon prepared by steam activation. Results showed that both activated carbons had almost similar acetate adsorption capacities, specific surface area and pore structure. Besides, the bamboo-based activated carbon had many more carboxyl, phenolic hydroxyl, PO, P–O–C and POOH groups than the coconut shell-based activated carbon. [New Carbon Materials 2013, 28(6): 461–466]