Properties of Acid-washed Activated Carbon from Pruned Apple Branches

Properties of acid-washed activated carbon made from pruned apple branches with air-activation was investigated by comparison with the carbon from sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D.Don) prepared in the same way and acid-washed commercial activated carbon. The results disclosed that both its specific surface area and pore volume were largest among the three carbons. In particular, micropores were relatively larger than those of the other two carbons in diameter and mesopores with a diameter larger than 4nm were formed in the carbon. Besides, it was found that the water vapor adsorption amount was also greatest. This was supposed to be caused by the large mesopore volume because no functional groups effective on the adsorption were observed in these activated carbons.