Performance of activated carbon obtained from pine wood and determination of its adsorption capacities of ammonia and gasoline vapors
Two types of pine wood were used to produce activated carbon (AC) by chemical activation with phosphoric acid. The yield of the activated carbon (CAs) obtained by considering the following factors in the process: species, activation temperature and impregnation ratio (R = wood mass/dissolution mass), the variables of such factors being the species Pinus pseudostrobus (Pp) and Pinus leiophylla (Pl), temperature values 400 and 500°C, and values of R (1:1, 1:2, 1:3), respectively, thus having 12 combinations. The results indicate that the best performance was in the treatment with Pp 400°C and with R = 1:1. A surface area of 790 and 801 m2.g-1 and a total pore volume of 0.312 and 0.316 cm3.g-1 were obtained for the Pp 500-2 and Pl 500-2 carbons, respectively. Likewise, the adsorption capacity of ammonia and gasoline vapors of the carbon obtained was determined.