Evolution of the active surface of carbons produced from various raw materials by steam pyrolysis/activation

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Abstract
A one step pyrolysis/steam activation was used to produce activated carbons from apricot stones, nuts, coconuts, almond shells and grape seeds, and Bulgarian lignite from Maritza Iztok and Chukurovo deposit. The evolution of the active surface of the carbons produced was investigated. The changes in the structure of activated carbons give evidence for the periodicity of the processes of oxidation and thermal destruction. It was established that the adsorption properties of activated carbons are dependent on the treatment temperature, soak time and the nature of the raw materials.The activated carbons produced from various raw materials have a high concentration of surface functional groups, carboxyl and hydroxyl. Activated carbons with predominantly meso‐ and macropore structures showed high capacity for adsorbing Cu2+ ions from solutions.