Effect of Preparation Conditions of Activated Carbon from Corn Cob by Chemical Activation with Microwave Energy

The conditions for the preparation of activated carbon(AC) from corn cob(CC) treated with NaHCO₃ using microwave radiation were optimized through response surface methodology (RSM) and central composite design (CCD).The effects of the radiation power, radiation time, and impregnation ratio were studied from the adsorption capacity on methylene blue dye(MB), and yield results.From the analysis of variance (ANOVA), the most influential factor on each experimental design response was identified. The predicted MB adsorption capacity and yield after process optimization was found to agree satisfactory with the experimental values. The optimum conditions for preparing AC from CC were found as follows: radiation power of S72W, radiation time of 5 min and impregnation ratio of 3.18. The predicted and experimental results for the adsorption capacity on MB and yield of AC were 263 mg/g, 24.9% and 251 mg/g, 26.2%, respectively.