Activation of charcoal by phosphoric acid impregnation for high yielding activated carbon

The main aim of this research is to study the prospective of using charcoal as a potential adsorbent for eliminating carbon dioxide from polluted air in the atmosphere. This project works highlights on the constraints involved in the preparation of activated carbon from charcoal such as activating agent, activating temperature, ratio of impregnation. The carbonization process allows forming an active site for adsorption. Micromeritics ASAP 2020 and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) were used in identifying the best sample preparation method with the largest surface area which directly contributes to the effectiveness of adsorbent in removing carbon dioxide (CO2). The samples were also analyzed for its elemental composition before and after carbonization using FESEM which results in 29.6 wt% and 49.2 wt% of carbon content respectively. Sample A2 was identified to yield activated carbon with largest surface area, SBET of 415.6512 m2/g and pore diameter, 17.7 nm which falls in mesopore category. In addition, the activated carbons developed from charcoal are also verified for their adsorption capacity with harmful greenhouse gas such as carbon dioxide using HPVA II analyzer.