Preparation Of Activated Carbon From The Stems Of The Caparis Spinosa Plant By Chemical Treatment With Sodium Hydroxide And Identification Of Some Of Its Physical Properties And Study Of Its Adsorption Qualities By Examining BET.

In this study, caper stems were used to prepare activated carbon samples. The stems of the plant were cut into small pieces of approximately equal size, and they were left at laboratory temperature to dry for seven days. After that, it was placed in the primary carbonization device (a metal cylinder containing small holes for the exit of water vapor and smoke). After the initial carbonization, the carbon was left to cool, then it was finely ground with an iron mortar, and the final carbonization and chemical activation process was carried out with sodium hydroxide (NaOH). It was washed with a dilute hydrochloric acid solution (10% HCl) and distilled water. Finally, it was placed in glass containers in an oven at a temperature of 150 degrees for 3 hours to get rid of moisture, after which the required measurements were taken on it. It was noted that model 4 gave the best absorbance of the blue dye. While model 3 gave the highest value of iodine uptake (iodine number). The physical results (density, humidity, ash) showed similar values and within acceptable limits academically and practically.