A comparison of adsorption characteristics of various activated carbons

Abstract
The physico‐chemical characteristics of activated carbons obtained from different agricultural by‐products by pyrolysis in a stream of water vapor have been investigated. It was established that under the same conditions of treatment the physico‐chemical and adsorption characteristics of activated carbons depend on the composition of the initial raw materials. Activated carbon obtained from apricot stones has the best properties. It is characterized by a large specific surface area and micropores volume and high iodine and methylene blue adsorption activity. The activated carbons produced from cherry stones and grape seeds are characterized by predominating meso‐ and macropores structure. It can be supposed this is related to the larger content of lignin in those materials.