Detecting pore size distribution of activated carbon by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance

In this study, the transverse relaxation time (T-2) of activated carbon (AC) in different relative environment humidity was detected firstly by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LFNMR). The pore size (diameter) of AC distributions was calculated by the relationship between T-2 and surface relaxation rate (rho), where rho was obtained by the detection of nine porous materials with known pore size. The results showed that the pore size distributions of AC calculated by rho < 0.19 nm/ms were in good agreement with that obtained by nitrogen adsorption method and proved that LFNMR as a new detection method was feasible for characterizing AC pore size distribution.