Publication

Activated carbon fibers for efficient VOC removal from diluted streams: the role of surface functionalities

Lioubov Kiwi, Guillaume Bastien Baur, Oliver Anthony Beswick, Jonathan Spring
2015
Journal paper

Abstract

The effect of surface functionalities, specific surface area and pore size of activated carbon fibers (ACFs) on the adsorption of toluene and acetaldehyde, two volatile organic compounds (VOC), at low concentrations (similar to 80 ppmv) and short contact time (20 ms) has been studied. Two different types of ACFs characterized by low temperature N-2 adsorption: ultramicroporous (d (pore) < 1 nm) and supermicroporous (d (pore) similar to 1-2 nm) were tested. Both ACFs were effective for the removal of toluene attaining the adsorption capacity as large as 51 wt%. The surface chemistry of ACFs (O-containing functional groups) was characterized by temperature-programmed desorption monitoring the CO/CO2 evolved. Oxidative treatment of ACFs by nitric acid increased the surface concentration of O-groups. This resulted in lower adsorption capacity towards toluene but higher one towards acetaldehyde. This result was rationalized based on different type of VOC interactions with the carbon surface.

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/record/208116?ln=en

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Ontological neighbourhood

Chemistry

Physical chemistry: Surface science

Environmental science

Pollution: Water pollution

Related concepts (33)

Surface science

Surface science is the study of physical and chemical phenomena that occur at the interface of two phases, including solid–liquid interfaces, solid–gas interfaces, solid–vacuum interfaces, and liquid–gas interfaces. It includes the fields of surface chemistry and surface physics. Some related practical applications are classed as surface engineering. The science encompasses concepts such as heterogeneous catalysis, semiconductor device fabrication, fuel cells, self-assembled monolayers, and adhesives.

Adsorption

Adsorption is the adhesion of atoms, ions or molecules from a gas, liquid or dissolved solid to a surface. This process creates a film of the adsorbate on the surface of the adsorbent. This process differs from absorption, in which a fluid (the absorbate) is dissolved by or permeates a liquid or solid (the absorbent). Adsorption is a surface phenomenon and the adsorbate does not penetrate through the surface and into the bulk of the adsorbent, while absorption involves transfer of the absorbate into the volume of the material, although adsorption does often precede absorption.

Surface energy

In surface science, surface free energy (also interfacial free energy or surface energy) quantifies the disruption of intermolecular bonds that occurs when a surface is created. In solid-state physics, surfaces must be intrinsically less energetically favorable than the bulk of the material (the atoms on the surface have more energy compared with the atoms in the bulk), otherwise there would be a driving force for surfaces to be created, removing the bulk of the material (see sublimation).

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