Effects of Preparation Conditions on Surface Properties and Yields of Periwinkle Shell Activated Carbon

This study explored the potential of periwinkle shells as precursor material for activated carbon preparation. The periwinkle shell was activated using the potassium hydroxide method. The periwinkle shell activated carbons prepared were characterized in terms of physico-chemical properties, functional groups, and yield and surface characteristics. The central composite design of response surface methodology was used for analysis and optimization of carbonization conditions of the periwinkle shell.  The carbonization conditions considered and their range of values are carbonization temperature of 300 to 700 and carbonization time of 30 to 180 mins. The FTIR analysis showed the presence of stretching vibration bands such as carbonate ion, aliphatic and heterocyclic N-H. The optimum conditions of the periwinkle shell carbonization carbon preparation are carbonization temperature of 536.38oC and carbonization time of 82.09 mins. These conditions gave maximum responses of PSBC’s yield percentage of 95.15%, surface area of 71.53 m2/g and porosity of 36.70. The R2 values obtained were very high for each response; 99.47%, 99.98% and 97.77% for PSBC’s yield, surface area and porosity respectively indicating that the results of experimental studies were in perfect agreement with those suggested from model. Periwinkle shells were found to be an efficient precursor material for activated carbon preparation with a very high yield as well as excellent surface characteristics.