Preparation Of the Activated Charcoal from Coconut Shells

Activated charcoal is a versatile adsorbent widely used in pharmaceutical, environmental, and industrial applications due to its high surface area and porous structure. This study focuses on the preparation and characterization of activated charcoal from coconut shells, an abundant agricultural waste material. The coconut shells were cleaned, carbonized at 400-500°C under limited oxygen, and chemically activated using zinc chloride, phosphoric acid (HPO₄)/potassium hydroxide (KOH). The activated material was further heated at 700-800°C, followed by washing to neutral pH and drying at 110°C. The prepared charcoal was evaluated for physicochemical properties, including moisture content, ash value, pH, bulk density, and adsorption capacity using methylene blue and iodine tests. Results reveal that chemical activation, particularly with zinc chloride, significantly enhances pore development and adsorption capacity. The study concludes that coconut shell is an efficient and economically viable precursor for high-quality activated charcoal production. This method promotes sustainable waste utilization and provides a cost-effective adsorbent suitable for environmental and pharmaceutical applications.