Production of activated carbon (AC) from agricultural byproducts is a research field that has gained increased interest in recent years because of its potential for the disposal of agro-residues. At the same time, a beneficial byproduct that can be used in a number of environmental applications is produced. This paper surveys the developments in the production processes of AC from agricultural byproducts in the past 7 years from 2005 to 2012 via conventional and microwave heating. Emphasis is placed on the applied methodology and the influences of activating conditions, such as carbonization temperature, retention time, and impregnation ratio. From the review of AC production processes, agricultural wastes produced by a chemical method with microwave heating can be a source of AC with relatively higher surface area than that produced via conventional heating.
Mesoporous-activated carbon from durian seed (DSAC) was prepared; it was used as adsorbent for the removal of methyl red (MR) dye from aqueous solution. Textural and adsorptive characteristics of activated carbon prepared from raw durian seed (DS), char durian seed (char DS) and activated durian seed (DSAC) were studied using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy, proximate analysis and adsorption of nitrogen techniques, respectively. Acidic condition favors the adsorption of MR dye molecule by electrostatic attraction. The maximum dye removal was 92.52 % at pH 6. Experimental data were analyzed by eight model equations: Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, Dubinin-Radushkevich, Radke-Prausnitz, Sips, Vieth-Sladek and Brouers-Sotolongo isotherms and it was found that the Freundlich isotherm model fitted the adsorption data most. Adsorption rate constants were determined using pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich, intraparticle diffusion and Avrami kinetic model equations. The results clearly showed that the adsorption of MR dye onto DSAC followed pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Both intraparticle and film diffusion were involved in the adsorption process. The mean energy of adsorption calculated from D-R isotherm confirmed the involvement of physical adsorption. Thermodynamic parameters were obtained and it was found that the adsorption of MR dye onto DSAC was an endothermic and spontaneous process at the temperatures under investigation.
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