Effects of micropore development on the physicochemical properties of KOH-activated carbons

Effects of micropore development through varying the KOH/char ratio on the porous, electrochemical, electronic, and adsorptive properties for corncob-derived activated carbons (ACs) prepared by means of the KOH activation method were systematically compared. The pore properties of ACs, including BET surface area, total pore volume, micropore volume ratio, bulk density, and product yield based on the raw material were investigated to gain an understanding for the influence of KOH dosage on the pore development. Element analysis and temperature-programming desorption (TPD) were used to obtain the information of chemical composition and surface oxygen functional groups on ACs in order to propose the reaction mechanism of KOH activation. Based on the pore development, KOH-activated carbons can be classified into two groups: a combination of physical activation and chemical KOH etching at low KOH/char ratios (0.5–2) as well as chemically uniform etching at high KOH/char ratios (≥3.0). From the adsorption study for five organics with molecular weights varying from 129 to 466 g/mol, the specific adsorption capacity of ACs for organics is independent of their specific surface area. The specific capacitance of ACs reached a maximum as the KOH/char ratio was equal to 3, attributed to a compromise between the specific surface area and electronic resistance of ACs.