OXIDATION OF ACTIVATED CARBON IN LIQUID-PHASE - STUDY BY FT-IR

Surface chemistry of a commercial activated carbon (AC) and of product s oxidized in liquid phase using aqueous solutions of a series of oxid izing agents (H2SO4, HNO3, HClO4, H2O2, O3, ClO2, KlO4 and KMnO4) has been studied by FT-IR. Oxidation led to surface groups and structures which, and also the extend of formation, depended on the oxidizing age nt and the pH and concentration of the solution used. Most oxidizing a gents proved to be effective for the formation of surface C=O groups. Variations in pH of solutions of H2O2, KlO4 and KMnO4 unequally affect ed the oxidation of AC. This was unfavourable with the increase in con centration of the solutions of HNO3 and KMnO4. The reverse was noted w ith KlO4.