Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Chemical Engineering Communications, cilt.213, sa.2, ss.251-263, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
This study investigates the morphological, structural, and chemical properties of activated carbons synthesized from common lignocellulosic agricultural wastes such as tomato, pepper, and eggplant residues. A two-step chemical activation method was employed. In the first step, the biomass was carbonized at 500 °C for 1 h to produce biochar. In the second step, the activation process was conducted at 800 °C for 1 h using different biochar:KOH impregnation ratios (1:1, 1:2, 1:3). The surface area of the resulting porous carbonaceous materials was determined by BET analysis, while their morphological features were examined by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Structural and chemical properties were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. The highest surface area values of activated carbons (2070–2254 m2/g) were obtained with a biochar:KOH weight ratio of 1:3. SEM images revealed the formation of a well-developed porous structure as a result of oxidation–reduction reactions. XRD analysis indicated the presence of graphite-like amorphous structures. FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of various surface functional groups, including C = C, C = O, C–H, C–C, and C–O. These findings demonstrate that widely available and low-cost agricultural wastes can serve as effective, environmentally friendly, and sustainable precursors for the production of activated carbon.