A study of the activation of carbon using sample controlled thermal analysis

A constant rate method involving the control of the concentration of evolve d CO2 at a constant level was used to study the air activation of pure and copper-doped carbon prepared from sodium carboxymethylcellulose. Whereas un der a linear heating regime, both types of carbon reacted suddenly and quic kly with O-2, under constant rate conditions this violent reaction was avoi ded and oxidation proceeded steadily at a lower temperature until complete burn off of the carbon was achieved. The catalytic effect of the copper on carbon gasification was noted with lower reaction temperatures for both lin ear heating (380 degrees C compared to 500 degrees C) and for the constant rate experiments (320 degrees C compared to 400 degrees C).