Adsorption of heavy metal ions onto a surface treated with granular activated carbon and activated carbon fibers

In this study, the effect of an acidic treatment on granular activated carbon (GAC) and activated carbon fibers (ACF) was investigated for a and ion adsorption. 1.0 M nitric acid solution was used as the acid solution for the surface treatment. Surface properties of the GAC and ACF were characterized by the pH, elemental analysis and pHpzc (pH of the point of zero charge). Their specific surface area and the pore structure were also evaluated by the nitrogen adsorption data at 77K. As a result, the acidic treatment led to an increase of the oxygen-containing functional groups. Furthermore, the adsorption capacity of the acid-treated GAC and ACF was improved in the order of acidic-ACF > untreated-ACF > acidic-GAC > untreated-GAC, though the decrease in specific surface area induced by a pore blocking of the functional groups was observed.