Preparation and characterization of a high performance activated carbon by pyrolysis of pine cone (Pinus halepensis) and adsorption tests on methylene blue

The present study focuses on the preparation of an activated carbon (PAC) from pine cone. This activated carbon is obtained by pyrolysis under Nitrogen N2 flow at 800°C. The surface area of the material was determined by physical adsorption of N2 gas, the Brunauer, Emett and Teller BET surface area is 633 m2/g. Fourier Transform Infrared FTIR was used for functional groups identification and Scanning Electron Microscopy SEM for morphology characterization. The produced activated carbon was tested as an adsorbent for Methylene Blue (MB) in batch conditions and the effects of different experimental parameters were studied. Kinetic experimental data are in perfect agreement with the pseudo-second order model with an excellent correlation R2 = 0.99 and equilibrium data were best fitted to the Langmuir model with maximum adsorption capacity of 151 mg/g. The thermodynamic parameters revealed that MB adsorption onto PAC is a spontaneous, physical and endothermic process.