Metal impregnate on activated carbon fiber for SO2 gas removal: Assessment of pore structure, Cu supporter, breakthrough, and bed utilization

• Published in: Colloids and surfaces. A, Physicochemical and engineering aspects Vol. 509; pp. 73 - 79
• Main Authors: Bai, Byong Chol, Lee, Chul Wee, Lee, Young-Seak, Im, Ji Sun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 20.11.2016
• Subjects: Activated carbon fibers (ACFs); Lyocell; Metal supporter; SO2 adsorption; SO2 adsorption; Activated carbon fibers (ACFs); Lyocell; Metal supporter
• ISSN: 0927-7757; 1873-4359
• DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2016.08.038

[Display omitted] •SO2 adsorption properties was increased by increasing the specific surface area and the development of micropores of Cu-impregnated ACFs.•Synergetic effect occurred through physical adsorption in the developed pore structure of the carbon fibers and chemical adsorption by the Cu catalyst.•ACF pores can be blocked by the growth or aggregation of the Cu catalyst. In this study, a high-efficiency SO2 adsorbent was manufactured using activated carbon fibers (ACFs) into which a Cu supporter was introduced. Carbon fibers were obtained by subjecting a Lyocell fiber to a flame-retardant treatment and carbonization process. A high specific surface area and a uniform microporous structure were obtained using KOH activation to improve the SO2 adsorptivity. After activation, a solution of Cu(NO3)2·3H2O was used as a chemical agent to impregnate the Cu supporter. As a result, we observed micropores and mesopores in the ACFs and even diffusion of the Cu supporter over the surfaces of the ACFs. After introducing the Cu supporter, the specific surface area and the percentage of micropores increased by 15% or more, and the SO2 adsorptivity increased by 180% or more in comparison to the ACFs without Cu supporter. The SO2 adsorptivity is thought to have been improved as a result of the synergetic effect of physical adsorption by the micropores and mesopores, the specific surface area developed by the effect of the transition metal while introducing the Cu supporter, and the chemical adsorption reaction of SO2 gas by the Cu supporter.