Preparation and characterization of a novel activated carbon component via chemical activation of tea woody stem

The novel activated carbon materials were synthesized by the carbonization and chemical activation of agricultural bio-waste from tea woody stems (TWS), and these materials were characterized by using FTIR, SEM, TG/DTA and surface analysis (BET surface area; pore distribution; pore size, area and volume) techniques. The higher carbonization times and amount of chemical reagent generally produce the higher surface area at 400 and 500 °C. The experimental data demonstrated that the highest BET surface area was 789 m2 g−1 at 500 °C, 75 μm particle size, TWS/KOH ratio of 1:2 and carbonization time of 3 h. The activated carbon IR spectrum showed the increases in intense of aromatic C–H out-of-plane bending and C=C vibrations and the disappearance of olefinic C=C functional groups. Thermal analysis curves of TWS are ascribed to decomposition of organic derivate corresponding to lignin, cellulose and hemicelluloses components up to 700 °C from 200 °C. The SEM images and textural analysis data signified that the pore development of carbon skeleton structure during carbonization and activation process formed and type of micropores in these pore structures was dominant. © 2019, Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, Hungary.