In this work, lignin-derived porous carbon was prepared using alkali lignin (AL) or lignosulfonic acid (LS)as a precursor to reveal the activation effects of potassium compound (KHCO3, K2CO3 and KOH) ontechnical lignin with different degree of aggregation. Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation andatomic force microscope testing results showed that KHCO3 had the best activation effect on AL having ahighly aggregated and dense microstructure, thanks to the expansion effect from KHCO3. LS has a highlydispersed and loose microstructure, and KOH had the best activation effect on LS. This is because thestabilizing effect from KOH could avoid excessive destruction of pore structure during carbonization andactivation process. Therefore, the specific surface area of AL-derived porous carbon obtained with KHCO3and LS-derived porous carbon obtained with KOH could reach 2084 and 2770 m2 g 1, while theabsorption capacity could reach 701 and 870 mg g 1 for sulfamethazine respectively. Our result providesa theoretical base for preparing high quality lignin-derived porous carbon adsorbent with different kindsof technical lignin