Activated carbon is a versatile adsorbent, hence, it can be used for decolorization purpose. Generally, preparation of AC is inexpensive, therefore it is one of the most used adsorbent for removal of different pollutants. However, the choice of your activation source may play a major role in terms of cost effectiveness. Here, is a simple procedure for obtaining activated carbon. First dry the husk, put it in a close contained n carbonized in an muffel furnace at 800 degree Celsius for 2-3 hours (you may vary the temperature of your choice from 400-1000 as per your requirement), ground the carbon into a fine powder (you can use planetary ball mill to obtain fine uniform particle size). After, which you can activate the carbon either with oxidizing or reducing agent. For instance, if you are using Nitric acid as your activating agent, then added the fine carbon powder (10-15 g) in a beaker, and add 0.01 M Nitric acid solution into the beaker slowly until the carbon is fully submerged and stirred it for 2 hours. Filter, wash with DW to remove excess of acid and dry the product, keep it in an air container for further analysis.  

Dear Research Partner Chubaakum Pongener 

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your timely response  and relentless support in my project 

Dear Research Partner Chandan Das

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your timely response  and relentless support in my project. But I have one question here, is the purpose of activation to remove the ash? What is the problem behind the presence of the ash?

Thank you very much again 

Hello Yared Mesfin,

Presence of ash lower activity of AC. Ash indicates metal salts. These ions occupy surface area and hence lower activity of AC. 

Best wishes

Leena Rao

Dear Yared,

The response of  Chubaakum Pongener is quite detailed and I approve it!

In fact the basic precursor of activated carbon is cellulosic material from any source. The composition of the material makes a difference in characteristics  and the composition depends on geographical location. First you have to carbonise (~700 C for 2-3 h) the material is absence of air (in inert atmosphere) to get carbon. Thereafter, a catalyst has to be added in this carbon. Further carbonize this material: carbon with enough amount of catalyst. There is a long list of materials that have been used as catalysts for synthesis of activated carbons. The final product is activated carbon.

Now, this activated carbon is a wonderful adsorbents and can be used as a decolouration of effluents, removal of any organic/inorganic materials from aqueous solutions.

Best Regards,

Dear All  Research Partners

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your timely response  and relentless support in my project. I will make some practical trials and come back with some inspirational queries.

Thank you very much again   

Dear Yared Mesfin,

Yes, coffee husk based activated carbon can be used to de-color the herbal extracts. The key advantage of such natural adsorbent is the cost-effectiveness and conversion of coffee husk into activated will not be a problematic task. Initially you need to wash the husk several times with water for the removal of adhering dirt. Dear Chubaakum Pongener  and Y. C. Sharma already mentioned details about to prepare activated carbon.

Article Micro Mesoporous Activated Carbon from Coffee Husk as Biomas...

Dear all research partners

I would like to heartfully express my gratitude for you relentless contribution and cooperation

Thanks once again and lets keep in touch please