Monolithic activated carbon sheets from carbonized medium-density fiberboard

Structural monolithic activated carbon sheets were made from carbonized medium-density fiberboard (c-MDF) using a carbon dioxide physical activation process. The activated c-MDF exhibited surface area as high as 1044 m(2)/g, and appeared to have the potential for even higher surface areas. Large activated c-MDF sheets were cut for evaluating surface area uniformity and mechanical properties (four-point bending). Surface area variation was significant in-plane, but negligible through-thickness. Variations on the activation method demonstrated improvement in in-plane uniformity of surface area. Bending modulus changed little from activation, but peak stress decreased for activations yielding high surface area. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.