Activated carbon production of the wood residue of the Amazonian area

This research aimed to produce, characterize and evaluate the activated carbon (AC) produced from waste from timber industry of the Amazon region. Waste from Apuleia leiocarpa were collected, characterized chemically, transformed into AC by carbonization process (500°C, 1.65°C.min-1, for 30 min) and activated by physical process (850°C, 10°C.min-1 for 60 min), with CO2 (150 mL.min-1) and then the adsorbent properties of the AC by the BET isotherm and kinetics of adsorption (methylene blue and phenol) were characterized. The results demonstrated that the AC has a high microporosity; a certain quantity of mesopores; superficial area of 564.90 m.g-1; high adsorption capacity in relation to the isotherms of methylene blue (above 350 mg.g-1) and phenol (above 300 mg.g-1). It was concluded that species has quite a promising potential for use in the production of value-added activated carbon. Additional studies should be conducted on the parameters of carbonization and activation in order to optimize the production and quality of activated carbon.