Data from: Production of bioadsorbent from phosphoric acid pretreated palm kernel shell and coconut shell by two-stage continuous physical activation via N2 and air

In the present study, agricultural biomass; palm kernel shell (PKS) and
coconut shell (CS) were used to produce high porosity bioadsorbent using
two-stage continuous physical activation method with different gas carrier
(air and N2) in each stage. The activation temperature was set constant at
600°C, 700°C, 800°C or 900°C for both activation stages with the heating
rate of 3°C min-1. Two parameters including the gas carrier and activation
temperature were determined as the significant factors on the adsorption
properties of bioadsorbent. BET, SEM, FTIR, TGA, CHNS/O and ash content
were used to elucidate the developed bioadsorbent prepared from PKS and CS
and its capacity towards the adsorption of methylene blue and iodine. The
novel process of two-stage continuous physical activation method was
capable to emerge mesopores and micropores that were previously
covered/clogged in nature, and simultaneously creating new pores. The
synthesized bioadsorbents showed that the surface area (PKS: 456.47 m2
g-1; CS: 479.17 m2 g-1), pore size (PKS: 0.63 nm: CS: 0.62 nm) and pore
volume (PKS: 0.13 cm3 g-1, CS: 0.15 cm3 g-1) were significantly higher
than that of non-treated bioadsorbent. The surface morphology of the raw
materials and synthesized bioadsorbent were accessed by SEM. Furthermore,
the novel process meets the recent industrial adsorbent requirements such
as low activation temperature, high fixed carbon content, high yield, high
adsorption properties and high surface area which are the key factors for
large scale production of bioadsorbent and its usage.