Abstract: “In this study activated carbon (AC) was prepared from raw date’s fronds (RDFs) of Saudi palm trees through a single step chemical activation method using H3PO4, KOH and ZnCl2. The effects of different parameters such as, concentrations, carbonization temperature and carbonization time (dwell time), on the BET surface area of ACs were studied. The raw date’s frond charcoal (RDFC) and ACs were characterized by Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), nitrogen adsorption Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The highest BET surface area 1901 m2g-1, 1581 m2g-1 and 607 m2g-1 were obtained at optimum condition of 60 % H3PO4, ZnCl2 and 40% KOH concentration respectively at 400oC carbonization temperature for 3 h carbonization time.”

Keywords: Activated carbon, Date Fronds, Chemical Activation, Surface area.