The effects of activation temperature and impregnation ratio on the pore structure and surface chemistry of activated carbons derived from jackfruit peel with chemical activation method using phosphoric acid as activating agent were studied. Activated carbons with well-developed pore sizes were produced at activation temperatures of 450 and 550 degrees C. The BET surface areas and total pore volumes of the carbons produced at these temperatures are in the range of 907-1260 m(2)/g and 0.525-0.733 cm(3)/g, respectively. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.