Air oxidation effects on microporosity, surface property, and CH4 adsorptivity of pitch-based activated carbon fibers

• Published in: Journal of colloid and interface science Vol. 276; no. 1; pp. 143 - 150
• Main Authors: WANG, Z.-M, YAMASHITA, N, WANG, Z.-X, HOSHINOO, K, KANOH, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: San Diego, CA Elsevier 01-08-2004
• Subjects: Adsorbents; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Porous materials; Surface physical chemistry; Methane; Activated carbon fibers; CH4 adsorption; Air; Porous material; Surface effect; Microporosity; Adsorption; Activated carbon; Surface functional groups; Pitch; Surface properties; Oxidation; Air oxidation; Carbon fiber; Functional group
• ISSN: 0021-9797; 1095-7103
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2004.03.017

The changes in microporous structure and surface properties of pitch-based activated carbon fibers upon air oxidation were examined by high-resolution N2 adsorption and various physicochemical methods such as DTA, DRIFT, XPS, and chemical titration/analysis. It was found that air oxidation below 673 K slightly modifies the microporous structure together with a minor replacement of surface -C=O groups by -C-O groups. However, oxidation above 773 K gradually increases the specific surface area and the average width of micropores by producing micropores with larger widths and greatly induces the formation of surface functional groups, especially the -COOH group. A slight change in microporosities has an evident effect on CH4 storage property.