Preparation of activated carbon from a renewable agricultural residue of pruning mulberry shoot

In this study, element composition of pruning mulberry shoot was evaluated by element analysis. On the basis of this, pruning mulberry shoot–based activated carbon was prepared from by chemical activationwith phosphoric acid (H3PO4), which particles were displayed by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs. The influence of impregnation temperature, impregnation ratio, H3PO4 concentration,pyrolysis temperature, and pyrolysis time on the iodine adsorption capacity and yield of the prepared activated carbon were investigated and discussed. Results showed that, pruning mulberry shoot is a good and cheap agricultural residue for the production of activated carbon, with carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen contents of 44.58, 6.37 and 1.45% (w/w, dry basis), respectively. With an impregnation temperature of 80°C, an impregnation ratio of 2:1 (v/w), a H3PO4 concentration of 50%, an pyrolysis temperature of 500°C, and an pyrolysis time of 2 h, the activated carbon with better iodine adsorption capacity and yield were 887.35 mg/g and 38.12%, respectively. SEM experimental results indicated thepotential use of pruning mulberry shoots as a precursor in the activated carbon preparation process, thus, representing an economically promising material