Characteristics and Humidity Control Capacity of Activated Carbon from Bamboo

  • Dr Toshihide Horikawa, Institute of Technology and Science, The University of Tokushima, Japan
  • Yoshiyuki Kitakaze, Dept. of Chemical Science and Technology, The University of Tokushima, Japan
  • Tomoki Sekida, Graduate School of Advanced Technology and Science, The University of Tokushima, Japan
  • Dr Jun'ichi Hayashi, Dept. of Chemical, Energy and Environmental Engineering, Kansai University, Japan
  • Dr Masahiro Katoh, Institute of Technology and Science, The University of Tokushima, Japan

    • Activated carbons were prepared from bamboo using potassium carbonate activation or carbon dioxide activation. The structural and surface chemical characteristics of the prepared activated carbons were determined by N2 adsorption-desorption and Boehm titration, respectively. The water vapor adsorption properties of the prepared activated carbons with various pore structure (preparation conditions) were examined. The relationship between the water vapor adsorption capacity and the pore properties, and the humidity control capacity of the prepared activated carbons were also discussed. The results showed that the water adsorption isotherms have a steep part of the uptake of water vapor, and the relative humidity at steep parts was different according to the preparation conditions, especially activation temperature. The water vapor adsorption capacity was improved with the larger pore volume and surface area, but, the humidity control capacity in a certain specific humidity area was greatly different according to the relative humidity at steep parts of the isotherm; for example the highest humidity control capacity in RH 10-35% was the bamboo activated carbon which was prepared at 600ºC by potassium carbonate activation.