Activated carbon can be manufactured from which of the following materials?

Activated carbon can be manufactured from coconut shells due to their high carbon content and the structure of the shells, which allows for the development of a porous surface during the activation process. This porous structure is critical as it provides a large surface area that enhances the adsorption capacity of the activated carbon, making it highly effective for applications such as water purification and air treatment. The renewable aspect of coconut shells also contributes to their appeal, as they are an agricultural byproduct, making their use for activated carbon environmentally friendly.

Other materials, such as plastic waste, wood shavings, and coal tar, may not provide the same optimal properties for producing activated carbon. While these materials could be processed in some contexts, they may not yield activated carbon with the required quality or performance for effective adsorption in comparison to the properties derived from coconut shells.