SYNTHESIS OF HIGHLY POROUS ACTIVATED CARBON FROM APRICOT STONE SHELLS AND ITS STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS

This article investigates the production of activated carbon with a high specific surface area and a well-developed porous structure from apricot (Prunus armeniaca) stone shells, a widely available local agricultural waste. The raw material was crushed, dried, and processed through a two-stage procedure consisting of carbonization followed by chemical activation with potassium hydroxide (KOH). Samples obtained under different impregnation ratios (1:1, 1:2, 1:3) and activation temperatures (600, 700, and 800 °C) were characterized by nitrogen adsorption-desorption (BET method), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that the sample activated at an impregnation ratio of 1:3 and a temperature of 800 °C exhibited the highest specific surface area (approximately 1450-1600 m²/g) and micropore volume. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of oxygen-containing surface functional groups (-OH, C=O, C-O), which enhance the adsorption activity of the material. The obtained activated carbon shows strong potential for use in water treatment, gas adsorption, and energy-storage devices such as supercapacitors. The findings demonstrate the feasibility of converting apricot stone shells, a cheap and abundant agricultural by-product, into a high-value-added carbon material.