Physically activated microporous carbon from a new biomass source: Date palm petioles

Abstract Activated carbons were prepared from a new lignocellulosic biomass source: date palm petioles. The activation process comprise the pyrolysis to 1000 °C under nitrogen flow and then the activation at 750, 850 and 900 °C under CO 2 flow. The samples were characterized by N 2 adsorption, scanning electron microscopy and mercury porosimetry. The activated carbons exhibited a predominant microporosity with specific surface area from 225 m 2 ·g −1 to 546 m 2 ·g −1 , and micropore volumes from 0.09 cm 3 ·g −1 to 0.23 cm 3 ·g −1 .