We produced an activated carbon using sodium-lignosulfonate, in which we investigated how the sodium salt in lignin served as the activating agent during heat treatment. Our process resulted in a product with a high specific surface area of 1324 m2/ g at 800 °C and microporous structure. During the activation process, we observed the consumption of carbon due to the dehydration reaction of NaOH and the reduction of Na2CO3 to metallic Na, which created pores through oxidation/ reduction reactions. The intercalation of metallic Na between the lattices at high temperatures formed additional pores and increased the specific surface area. Our proposed mechanism holds promise for enhancing the control of the microstructure and porosity of activated carbons through the thermal treatment of biomass.

The activated carbon was prepared from waste citrus peels using NaOH. With the increase of NaOH ratio, iodine adsorptivity and specific surface area of the activated carbon prepared were increased, but activation yield was decreased. The optimal condition of activation was at 300% NaOH and 700℃ for 1.5 hr. For the activated carbon produced under optimal condition, iodine adsorptivity was 1,006 mg/g, specific surface area was 1,356 m2/g, and average pore diameter was 20～25Å. From the adsorption experiment for benzene vapor in fixed bed reactor, it was found that the adsorption capacity of activated carbon prepared from waste citrus peel was higher than that of activated carbon purchased from Calgon company. This result implied that the activated carbon prepared from waste citrus peel could be used for gas phase adsorption.