A comparison of adsorption characteristics of various activated carbons

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.