Preparation, surface functionalization, and characterization of carbon micro fibers for adsorption applications

Abstract In this study, the phenolic resin and viscose rayon precursor-based activated carbon fibers (ACFs) were prepared by carbonization and steam-activation. Prepared ACFs were surface-functionalized by hydrogen peroxide and applied as adsorbents in environmental remediation applications. Carbonization and activation conditions (temperature, time, and heating rate) were varied to prepare ACFs of different specific surface area and pore size distribution. At the activation temperature of 900°C, the specific surface area was found to be maximum (∼1,700 m2/g for the phenolic resin precursor- and ∼2,300 m2/g for the viscose rayon precursor-based ACFs). However, former precursor-based ACFs contained mostly micropores, whereas the latter contained both micropores and mesopores. Adsorption of methylene blue, the reagent used as a test adsorbate molecule, was found to be dependent on the surface area, pore volume, and pore size distribution of the prepared ACFs, and also on the surface oxygen functional groups...