International Science Community Association Research Journal of Chemical Sciences 2231 - 606X 3 7 2013 July 18 Preparation and Characterization of Activated Carbon from Palm Kernel Shell by Chemical Activation 54 61 EN H.P. Jayadevappa 1 Department of Studies in Chemistry, Manasagangotri, University of Mysore, Mysore 570 006, Karnataka, INDIA G. Nagendrappa 2 M.Mohamed Sabah 1 Teacher Oreparation Institute, Ministry of education, Nineveh, IRAQ C. Kihampa 1 School of Environmental Science and Technology, Ardhi University, P. O. Box 35176, Dar es Salaam, TANZANIA Wenaty A. 2 Department of Food Science and Techonology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 3006, Morogoro, TANZANIA M.Ramegowda 1 PG Department of Physics, Govt. College (Autonomous), Mandya - 571401, INDIA Kamsonlian Suantak 1 Department of Chemical Engineering, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad-211004, UP, INDIA Shukla Bipin 2 Chaudhari S.M. 1 University Institute of Chemical Technology, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon – 425001, INDIA Catalysis and Inorganic Chemistry Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune-411008, INDIA Waghulde A.S. 2 Samuel V. 3 Bari M.L. 4 Chumbhale V.R. 5 Bari S.S. 1 Department of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh-160014, INDIA Bhalla Aman 2 Venugopalan P. 3 Hundal Qudrat 4 Abechi S.E. 1 Department of Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, NIGERIA Gimba C.E 2 Uzairu A 3 Dallatu Y.A. 4 > Research Paper 2013 6 9 2013 July 18 This work investigates the effect of change in temperature and time of activation on physicochemical properties of activated carbon prepared from palm kernel shell by chemical activation. The experimental design yielded nine activated carbons which were characterized by standard methods, including SEM examinations and FTIR analysis to study the surface morphology and to analyze the functional groups on the prepared carbons surface respectively. The BET surface area, obtained from nitrogen gas adsorption ranged from 17 to 217 g/m. The BET surface area of the prepared activated carbons was in the order:A1 > A2 > A3 > C1 > B3 > B1 > B2 > C3 > C2.The nitrogen gas adsorption also showed that samples A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3 and C1 conform to type 1 of IUPAC isotherm classification while samples C2 and C3 conform to type II isotherm. The carbonized sample, (CC), exhibit type III isotherm. Result shows that the best condition for the preparation of activated carbon for adsorption from palm kernel shell using KOH as activating agent be 800C for 45 minutes, taking into cognizance the feasibility of scaling up production. Copyright@ International Science Community Association