Preparation of semi-activated carbon fibers

Preparation of semi-activated carbon fibers (SACFs) using a precursor consi sting of coal tar pitch and phenolic resin coated on glass fiber was invest igated. Stabilization of the fiber structure by crosslinking both the pheno lic resin and coal tar pitch was essential to achieving high surface areas during high temperature activation. The phenolic resin was cured by using a queous catalyst (hydrochloric acid/formaldehyde) followed by oxidative stab ilization of the pitch. A surface area of 1,206 m(2)/g based on the precurs or was obtained through activation using carbon dioxide/steam at 880 degree s C. The pore size distribution was shown to be vary narrow using the Horva th-Kawazoe (HK) method.