In this paper, activated carbons with high surface area from carbonized tobacco stems with K2CO3 activation by microwave radiation were investigated. Effects of microwave radiation time and K2CO3/C ratio on the yield and adsorption capacities of activated carbons were evaluated. Experimental results indicated that the optimum conditions were as follow: microwave power 700W, microwave radiation time 30 min; K2CO3/C ratio 1.5:1. Iodine number, amount of methylene blue adsorption and the yield of activated carbon prepared under optimum conditions were 1834 mg/g 517.5 mg/g and 16.65% respectively. Surface area, micropore volume and pore size distribution (PSD) of the carbons were determined by the BET, H-K and DFT methods. Results showed that activated carbons had a micropore content about 59.98% and a small number of mesopores and macropores; BET specific surface area and total pore volume were 2557 m(2)/g and 1.647 cm(3)/g, respectively. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.