Microwave assisted K₂CO₃ palm shell activated carbon as sorbent for CO₂ adsorption application

Carbon dioxide is believed to be a major greenhouse gas (GHG) that contributes to global warming. In this study, palm shells were used as a precursor to prepare CO₂ activated carbon sorbents via carbonization, chemical impregnation with K₂CO₃ and microwave activation. Adsorption equilibrium data for CO₂ adsorption on the porous carbon were obtained at different temperatures using static volumetric adsorption method. Langmuir, Freundlich, Sips and Toths models were used to correlate the experimental data. The CO₂ adsorption capacity at 303.15, 343.15, 378.15 443.15 K and 1 bar on the sorbent was 2.71, 1.5, 0.77, 0.69 mmol/g respectively. Sips isotherm was found to have the best fit. The results indicated that the porous carbon sorbent prepared by carbonization and microwave K₂CO₃ assisted activation have good CO₂ uptake. The porous carbons produced are therefore good candidates for CO₂ adsorption applications.