Active carbons from lignocellulose materials as potential energy carriers

Chemical and elemental composition of selected lignocellulose materials was determined and next the materials were used to produce a series of active carbons for electrochemical hydrogen adsorption under strictly repeatable conditions. Chemical activation (900 o C) with the application of KOH (4:1) was used for the development of the porous structure. Prior to activation all materials were pyrolysed at 700 o C applying a slight temperature increase rate (3 o C/min). Produced active carbons had diverse parameters of the porous structure and considerable BET surface areas ranging from 2178 to 2815 m 2 /g. Experiments showed feasibility of electrosorption of hydrogen on the surface of active carbons produced from commonly available, cheap and frequently waste lignocellulose materials. The type of the applied precursor has a significant effect on the development of the porous structure and hydrogen sorption. The highest hydrogen sorption value of Hc =1.91% weight and Hc =1.90% weight were obtained on AC from cherry stone shells and from oak wood.