Abstract: To explore the reuse of waste particleboard, activated carbon was prepared from poplar particleboard by chemical activation with potassium hydroxide. We explored the effects of four factors (i. e. activation temperature, activation time, impregnation ratio and resin content) on adsorption property and yield of activated carbon. The elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy and N2 adsorption test were utilized to investigate the microstructures and surface performance of the optimum sample. The results showed that activated carbon with high adsorption property can be prepared by chemical activation with potassium hydroxide. Impregnation ratio was the most important factor during the preparation. Given the condition of activation temperature 1 000 0 c, activation time 40 min, impregnation ratio 1:3 and resin content 6%, the optimum sample was prepared. Its specific surface area was 2 459.708 m2 / g, the iodine value was 2.047 g/ g, and the activation yield rate was 58.30%.