Catalytic removal of SO2 over ammonia-activated carbon fibers

Nitrogen-containing functional groups were introduced onto the surface of activated carbon fibers (ACF) by activating an ethylene tar pitch-based carbon fiber with ammonia water. The activity of the ACF for the conversion of SO2 to aq. H2SO4 in the presence of H2O and O-2 is significantly higher than that of other commercial ACF studied before. Both the SO2 adsorption capacity and oxidation activity of ACF are enhanced very much by the nitrogen-containing functional groups. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.