Novel insights into date pit-based activated carbons: H ₃ PO ₄ and KOH activation

Different activated carbon preparations were obtained from date pits (DPs). The DPs were chemically activated and then pyrolyzed at various temperatures and were chemically impregnated either by H 3 PO 4 or KOH, then pyrolyzed at 500°C or 700°C, respectively, under nitrogen gas flow in a tube furnace. The prepared absorbents were examined using different techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron dispersive X-ray (EDX), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and carbon-hydrogen-nitrogen (CHN) elemental analysis. The results indicated that the prepared materials provided abundant functional groups on the surface and developed pore structures. The research verified the successful carbonization of DPs, producing a material of high carbon content. Structural analysis also found that there were different forms, crystalline and amorphous phases, and thermal stability. The highest BET surface area was obtained with carbonized DPs, chemically activated by H 3 PO 4 at 500°C, and the specific surface area increased from 3.042 to 382.8 m 2 /g. In comparison, the carbonized DPs activated by KOH at 700°C increased from 3.042 to 113.9 m 2 /g. These results emphasize the significance of activated carbon produced from DPs for a variety of uses.