Effects of metal loading on activated carbon on its adsorption and desorption characteristics

Abstract Metal loaded activated carbons (AC) were synthesized for an application in NH 3 enrichment through repeated adsorption and desorption. The metal loaded activated carbons possesses higher NH 3 adsorption capacity than the raw AC at room temperature. Mg loaded AC (AC–Mg) showed about 10 times (6.34 mg NH 3 /g) higher adsorption capacity than raw AC and its adsorption capacity was maintained even in repeated breakthrough tests. Metal loading on activated carbon increased the concentration of surface oxygen, which provides relatively weak adsorption sites for NH 3 so that the adsorbed NH 3 can be released relatively easier compared to the case of raw AC.