Removal of pollutants with activated carbon produced from K ₂CO₃ activation of lignin from reed black liquors

The activated carbon was prepared from fast precarbonization of reed lignin in the fluidized-bed followed by K₂CO₃ activation. The impregnation ratio was ζ= 1:1 in this research. The effect of activation temperature upon the BET specific surface area and specific 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 specific surface area and specific pore volume of the carbon activated at 800°C were s = 1217 m² g^-1 and ν = 0.65 ml g^-1, respectively. The potential application of the carbon activated at 800°C for removal of pollutants was also investigated. The Langmuir monolayer adsorption capacity q_m of this activated carbon of adsorbing phenol, nitrobenzene, and Cr (VI) can reach 136.2, 393.7 and 52.6 mg g^-1, respectively. The experimental results showed that it had good adsorption capacity.