Activated carbon, a versatile and powerful adsorbent, is manufactured from a variety of carbon-rich raw materials that significantly influence its properties and suitability for different applications. Here are the primary raw materials used in the production of activated carbon:
Wood
Wood, including both hardwoods such as oak and softwoods like pine, is a common source of activated carbon. This type of activated carbon is particularly useful in applications requiring the removal of large organic molecules and color from solutions due to its larger pore sizes.
Coconut Shells
Coconut shells are one of the most popular materials for making activated carbon due to their high carbon content and excellent pore structure. Activated carbon derived from coconut shells is highly effective in purifying water and air and is also used in the recovery of precious metals like gold. This is due to its high density of micropores, making it ideal for trapping small molecular-sized contaminants.
Coal
Coal, including bituminous, sub-bituminous, and lignite, is another significant source. Coal-based activated carbon is prized for its high volume of mesopores and macropores, which makes it suitable for industrial applications such as wastewater treatment, gas purification, and solvent recovery.
Bamboo
Bamboo is an increasingly popular source of activated carbon, especially in Asia. It grows quickly, making it a sustainable option, and produces activated carbon with unique adsorptive properties, suitable for both air and water purification.
Nutshells and Olive Pits
Various nutshells, such as those from walnuts, peaches, apricots, and jujube (Chinese date), along with olive pits, offer a high surface area and are often used to produce activated carbon tailored for specific chemical adsorption and refinement processes.
Peat
Peat, a type of organic soil, is used less frequently but can be processed into activated carbon. It is particularly effective in decolorizing sugar and other food products.
Each raw material contributes unique characteristics to the final product, impacting the activated carbon’s pore structure, adsorptive capacity, and reactivity, making the choice of raw material crucial depending on the intended application.
