Porous carbons were made from corncob using a chemical activation method. By using different activators, the researchers found that KOH is best for creating microporous carbon with a high surface area, while Na2CO3 creates porous carbon with more mesopores and a lower surface area. The best sample had a pore volume of 1.339 cm3/g and a surface area of 2342 m2/g, achieved with a KOH/carbon ratio of 3. A mix of Na2CO3, KOH, and carbon in a 1:2:1 ratio resulted in activated carbon with mostly micropores and a narrow range of mesopores.