The comparison of two activation techniques to prepare activated carbon from corn cob

We report on the preparation of biomass-based activated carbons by the steam physical activation and KOH chemical activation methods. In addition, we also investigate their adsorption performance. By adjusting the reaction parameters, different carbon materials are prepared from corn residues and characterized using instrumental analyses such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET). It is found that the synthesized activated carbons exhibit high surface area (1600 m2 g−1) and large pore volume (2.01 cm3 g−1). Furthermore, the high methylene blue and iodine adsorption value and a considerable CO2 uptake (exceeding 1.5 mmol g−1) are attained with the activated carbons, showing their potential usage for the CO2 adsorbent. ► We research the reaction parameters effect of two different activation methods. ► The effect of reaction parameters and activation methods on carbon were observed. ► The adsorption capabilities are comparable with the commercial activated carbon.