Abstract: Lignin-derived formed activated carbon was prepared from alkali lignin and fir sawdust using phosphoric acid as the activator. The effects of alkali lignin mass fraction, impregnation ratio, activation temperature, and activation time on the properties of activated carbon were investigated. The results showed that the surface wettability of alkali lignin compounded with fir sawdust(alkali lignin mass fraction of 50%) was significantly improved, and the instantaneous water contact angle decreased from 133.2°(alkali lignin) to 86.6°(compound raw materials). The thermal expansion coefficient in the expansion temperature range decreased from 2 365 μm/(m·℃)(alkali lignin)to 45 μm/(m·℃)(compound raw materials). Under optimal technological conditions of alkali lignin mass fraction of 50%, impregnation ratio of 1.5:1(mass ratio of pure phosphoric acid to compound raw materials), activation temperature at 500℃, and activation time for 90 min, the prepared activated carbon had the iodine adsorption value of 1 070 mg/g as well as the methylene blue adsorption value of 255 mg/g. The yield and strength of activated carbon were 41.76% and 90%, respectively. The specific surface area and pore volume were 1 646 m²/g and 0.795 cm³/g respectively, where the pore volume with pore diameter less than 5 nm occupied for 97.2% in the total pore volume.