The pore structure of pitch-based activated carbon prepared by physical activation was improved by nitric acid treatment of pitch. The nitric acid treatment introduced oxygen and nitrogen functional groups on pitch, and increased pitch molecular weight by cross-linking. The introduced oxygen and nitrogen functional groups on pitch were removed during the carbonization process, so they did not directly affect the physical activation process. The increased pitch molecular weight induced an increase of the pitch softening point. The increased softening point prevented rearrangement between the pitch molecules during the carbonization process, thereby inhibiting the orientation improvement of pitch molecules. The crystal degree of the carbonized pitch was reduced due to the inhibition of the orientation improvement. The reduced crystal degree increased reactivity between carbonized pitch and activation agent ( CO2) and formed micropores, so that activated carbon with a high specific surface area could be prepared.

    Abstract
    1 Introduction
    2 Experimental
        2.1 preparation of pitch based-activated carbon
        2.2 Analysis of samples
    3 Results
    4 Discussion
        4.1 Effect of introduced surface functional group on activation reaction
        4.2 Crystal structure of pitch according to nitric acid treatment and heat treatment process
    5 Conclusion
    References

• Min Il Kim(C1 Gas and Carbon Convergent Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology)
• Byong Chol Bai(Research and Development Division, Korea Institute of Convergence Textile)