INFLUENCES OF SURFACE FUNCTIONAL-GROUPS ON CATALYTIC ACTIVITY OVER ACTIVATED CARBON CATALYSTS FOR SULFUR-DIOXIDE REMOVAL FROM FLUE-GASES

The catalytic oxidation of sulfur dioxide in flue gases over activated carbon catalysts was studied. Catalysts made from different materials or by different methods were markedly different. The catalysts were c haracterized by BET isotherms and X-ray power diffraction. The acidic and basic sites and/or strength on the catalysts were determined by te mperature-programmed desorption, while surface functional groups were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The catalytic activity depended on oxygen-containing surface functional groups with Bronsted basicity properties. These groups on a furfural residue activated car bon could be increased by a suitable treatment to enhance the catalyti c activity but other catalysts in this study showed no activity enhanc ement with a similar treatment.