Activated carbon has been a fascinating material, especially for the removal of different pollutant species from gaseous and aqueous phases. Activated carbons can be prepared from a variety of cellulosic materials. This study is an effort to investigate the characteristics of activated carbon prepared from an agricultural waste material, coconut coir. The surface area and porosity of the activated carbon were determined by nitrogen adsorption isotherms at 77 K. The pore size distribution was determined by a N(2) adsorption isotherm that shows the pore width, surface area, and total pore volume of the activated carbon. The BET surface area of synthesized activated carbon was found to be 205.27 m(2). g(-1). After activation, both micropores and a small volume of mesopores are formed in the product. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to monitor the course of pyrolysis of coconut coir and ZnCI(2)-impregnated coconut coir. Important physicochemical properties of the activated carbon were confirmed by Fourier transform IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry.