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The present study attempts to utilize Eupatorium adenophorum to prepare high surface area activated carbon (HSAAC) with K2CO3 activation using microwave heating. The operational variables including microwave power, K2CO3/C mass ratio and heating time on the adsorption capability and yield were identified. Additionally, the surface characteristics of HSAAC were characterized by nitrogen adsorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The optimum conditions resulted in HSAAC with an iodine number of 1696 mg/g and a yield of 32.88%. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area and total volume were 2768 m2/g and 1.149 ml/g, respectively. The findings strongly support the feasibility for preparation of HSAAC from E. adenophorum by microwave heating.