STUDIES ON THE MECHANISM OF THE REACTION OF ACTIVATED CARBON-FIBERS WITH OXIDANTS

In this paper, the mechanism of the reaction of activated carbon fibers (ACFs) with oxidants was studied by means of elemental analysis, surface groups analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, gas chromatography, pH determination, and other techniques. The experimental results indicated that the reduction ability of ACF is mainly associated with the edges rather than the surface of the microcrystal carbon. The oxygen-containing functions can contribute only a small part of the reduction capacities of ACF. When ACF is oxidized by oxidants, the oxygen content and the amounts of hydroxyl, carbonyl, and carboxyl groups of ACF increase. The oxidation of ACF involves at least two processes, which are the formations of hydroxyl (or phenolic) groups and of carbonyl (or carboxyl) groups. Furthermore, the oxidation of ACF produces carbon dioxide and H+ ion. The reduction capacity was larger than the amount of carbon dioxide released but approximately equal to the H+ produced.