International Science Community Association International Research Journal of Environmental Sciences 14 1 2025 01 22 Towards designing activated carbons with specific surface characteristics from agro waste of Telfairia Occidentalis Hook. F. 10 18 EN Victoria T. Sanyaolu 1 Department of Biological Science, Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Ikorodu – Lagos, Nigeria Oluwafemi Fadayini 2 Department of Chemical Engineering, Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Ikorodu – Lagos, Nigeria Toyin T. Oshin 3 Department of Chemical Science, Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Ikorodu – Lagos, Nigeria Wirnkor Verla Andrew 1 Group Research in Analytical Chemistry, Environment and Climate Change (GRACE & CC), Department of Chemistry, Imo State University Owerri, P. M. B 2000, Imo State, Nigeria Ngozi Verla Evelyn 2 Department of Environmental Technology, FUTO, Owerri, Imo State, P. M. B. 1526, Nigeria Victoria Ekweogu Chinonye 3 Department of Environmental Technology, FUTO, Owerri, Imo State, P. M. B. 1526, Nigeria Edewede Diagi Bridget 4 Department of Environmental Technology, FUTO, Owerri, Imo State, P. M. B. 1526, Nigeria Ndubuisi Iwuoha Godson 5 Department of Pure and industrial chemistry, Uniport, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria Ngozi Aririguzo Bernadine 6 Department of Soil Sciences and Technology, Federal University of Technology, PMB 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria > Research Paper 2024 7 29 2025 01 22 A careful study of the surface properties under different reagents and various materials could avail scientists the luxury of determining the nature with respect to intended use of particular activated carbon and then design the adsorbent according to a specified need. In this paper surface chemistry of five activated carbon prepared with various activating reagents was studied with the aim of identifying the surface functional groups and acid-base characteristics. IR Spectroscopy, elemental analysis and Boehm titration methods were used and data subjected to some chemometrics. Results revealed IR spectra typical of activated carbon materials with C=C, O-H and C-H stretches of benzene, acids and esters and unsaturated systems present. The H/C ratio of FAC6 decreased rapidly as in all other carbons. Oxygen containing active sites were predominant even though acidic sites showed high concentration than basic sites except for FAC6, FAC7 and FAC9. Total active sites showed that FAC10 (3.84 ± 0.36) > FAC8 (2.47 ± 0.15) > FAC9 (1.70 ± 0.41) > FAC7 (1.48 ± 0.26) > FAC6 (0.96 ± 0.18) whereas acid / base ratios showed that FAC6 (31) > FAC7 (2.7) > FAC8 (0.89) > FAC10 (0.79) > FAC9 (0.75). Physicochemical properties have an influence on the acid/base properties of adsorbents studied. Such information when added to the many pieces already existing could assist in predicting the characteristic properties of a particular activated carbon. Copyright@ International Science Community Association