Activated carbons were obtained by means of chemical activation
with alkaline agents (KOH, NaOH and K2CO3) from vegetable-
tanned leather wastes which were valorized as a result. The
adsorbents prepared are basically microporous with a certain
degree of mesoporosity. The activated carbons obtained both with
and without a previous pyrolysis step by KOH or K2CO3-activation
present the highest BET surface area (2719 m2 g1), total pore
volume (1.184 cm3 g1 at p/p0: 0.95), and total micropore volume
(0.829 cm3 g1).
Direct activation of the leather wastes with KOH or K2CO3, and
activation of the pyrolysed wastes (BCTP) with KOH at a low activating
agent-precursor ratio results in activated carbons with a