Production and Characterisation of Activated Carbon from Palm Kernel Shell for Water Treatment Applications in Edo State

This study investigates the production and characterisation of activated carbon derived from palm kernel shells sourced from palm oil processing mills in Edo State, South South Nigeria. Water quality challenges in Edo State, particularly the contamination of surface water sources with organic pollutants and heavy metals, have stimulated interest in low-cost locally produced adsorbents as alternatives to imported activated carbon. Palm kernel shells are carbonised at 500 degrees Celsius under nitrogen atmosphere and chemically activated using zinc chloride (ZnCl2) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) as activating agents. The resultant activated carbons are characterised for BET surface area, pore size distribution, iodine number, methylene blue adsorption, and proximate composition. Batch adsorption experiments are performed using synthetic solutions of methylene blue dye, lead ions, and cadmium ions to evaluate adsorption capacity and kinetics. Results indicate that KOH-activated carbon achieves a BET surface area of 1,140 m2/g with predominantly microporous structure, outperforming ZnCl2-activated samples by approximately 30 percent in heavy metal adsorption capacity. Adsorption data fit the Langmuir isotherm model, and kinetic data conform to the pseudo-second-order model. The study demonstrates the high potential of palm kernel shell activated carbon as a cost-effective adsorbent for water treatment in Edo State. Keywords: activated carbon, palm kernel shell, adsorption, water treatment, Edo State.