Poly(ethylene terephthalate) as a source for activated carbon

A study of the poly(ethylene terephthalate) carbonization process of chemic ally activated precursors to the activated carbon is presented. Carbonizati on was performed in the atmosphere of carbon dioxide, nitrogen as well as i n nitrogen saturated with water vapor. It was observed that the carbonizati on atmosphere seemed to have a significant impact on the pore size distribu tion and the surface area, and influences carbon adsorption capacity. The T HMs (CHCl3, CHBrCl2, CHBr2Cl, and CHBr3) problem and phenol removal on obta ined activated carbons was studied. A correlation between carbon pore size and the molecular diameter of adsorbents was found. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.