Synthesis of potassium hydroxide-treated activated carbon via one-step activation method

Abstract Physicochemical activation has been popular currently due to the incredible surface area of activated carbon produced. In the process, the step of activation has a significant role in influencing the characteristics of activated carbon. Previously, several studies conducted one-step activation in which potassium hydroxide (KOH) was impregnated with the precursors derived from agricultural biomass and wastes. Currently, the materials have been interesting due to their renewable and low-cost properties. This paper reviews the recent studies regarding the variables and the effect of one-step activation towards properties of KOH-impregnated adsorbents which were synthesized from agricultural biomass and wastes. The variables of one-step activation and pore development are compared in this paper. It was found that the increase of pore characteristics follows the increased amount of KOH concentration, ratio, carbonizing temperature and time until reaching the optimum level of variables. One-step activation has been proved by the studies to the successful activation of activated carbon with different excellent surface area, even up to approximately 2800 m 2 /g. In the future, it will be a great challenge to develop the efficient processes of synthesizing activated carbon with improved optimization to achieve incredible and maximum results of the surface area.