INFLUENCE OF LIQUID-PHASE OXIDATION OF ACTIVATED CARBON “BAU-A” GRADE WITH HYDROGENIC ACID ON ITS SURFACE STRUCTURE

Abstract

Activated carbon is often used as a carrier, in the manufacture of catalysts and as a sorbent in medicine and pharmaceuticals, as well as in the purification of natural and waste water from various compounds and the concentration of metal ions in the metallurgical industry. A variety of applications for activated carbon causes different requirements for it. The sorption, structural and textural characteristics predetermine the main properties of activated carbon. Improvement of any characteristics of activated carbons, in order to create materials with the required performance properties, is carried out by surface modification with various agents. In this work, liquid-phase oxidation of commercial activated carbon of the brand “BAU-A” with hydrochloric acid was carried out to improve its surface structure and morphology. The IR spectroscopy established oxygen-containing hydroxyl and phenolic, as well as carboxylic, lactone and quinone groups after modification with hydrochloric acid. This in turn affected the morphology of the coal material, which became relatively organized and distinct. Pore volumes after modification with hydrochloric acid decreased to 4.264–5.778 µm, macrocell sizes correspond to 31.57–73.32 µm. XRD analysis has established a decrease in the intensity of areas 2θ – 29° and 43° after modification, indicating the removal of certain minerals with a specific crystal structure, such as Na, Ca and Mg.