Preparation of activated carbon from spandex (Acer sp.) tree wood by chemical treatment using sodium hydroxide

Abstract Activated carbon was prepared from (Acer sp.) wood. The wood was dried and crushed to small suitable size. The dried wood was mixed with sodium hydroxide in the following ratio [(wood: NaOH) (1:0, 1:0.5, 1:1, 1:1.5, 1:2)]. The reaction mixture (wood and base) was carried out in stainless steel reactor coated with nickel. The mixture was heated for more than three hours at 550 25oC with continuous mixing till no more gases evolved. The carbonized materials were washed with distilled water many times till it gives colorless litmus paper. The carbonized materials was activated using 30% HCl for 1.5 hr to remove any metalic corrosion and to open the pores in the carbon. The carbon was filtered, washed and dried to be activated carbon. The activated carbon prepared was further studied to fulfill its properties.