Characterization of activated carbon produced from almond shell and hazelnut shell

Ammonium chloride‐impregnated and untreated almond shell and hazelnut shell samples were carbonized in a flow of nitrogen at relatively low temperatures. Pore structure characterization and sorption capacities of activated carbons prepared from shells of almond and hazelnut indicated that treatment with NH 4 Cl increased the total surface area and improved sorption characteristics. Chemical activation carried out at 350°C gave products with surface area values above 500 m 2 g −1 . On the other hand, the surface area values observed for the products obtained from untreated raw materials were about half of this value. The surface area of products obtained from NH 4 Cl‐impregnated samples reached values of over 700 m 2 g −1 when the carbonization temperature was increased 700°C.