In this study, polyimide (PI)-based activated carbon fibers (ACFs) were prepared for application as electrode materials in electric double-layer capacitors by varying the steam activation time for the PI fiber prepared under identical cross-linking conditions. The surface morphology and microcrystal structural characteristics of the prepared PI-ACFs were observed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry, respectively. The textural properties (specific surface area, pore volume, and pore size distribution) of the ACFs were calculated using the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, Barrett–Joyner–Halenda, and non-local density functional theory equations based on N2/ 77 K adsorption isotherm curve measurements. From the results, the specific surface area and total pore volume of PI-ACFs were determined to be 760–1550 m2/ g and 0.36–1.03 cm3/ g, respectively. It was confirmed that the specific surface area and total pore volume tended to continuously increase with the activation time. As for the electrochemical properties of PI-ACFs, the specific capacitance increased from 9.96 to 78.64 F/g owing to the developed specific surface area as the activation time increased.

Evaporative emissions, a major cause of air pollution, are primarily produced by automobiles and can be recovered using adsorbents. This study investigated the effect of the textural properties of polyimide (PI)-based activated carbon fibers (PIACFs) on the adsorption and desorption performance of n-butane, which are a type of evaporative emissions. PI-ACFs were prepared by varying the activation time while maintaining the identical crosslinking and carbonization conditions. The surface morphology and microstructural properties of the ACFs were examined using a field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The textural properties of ACF (specific surface area, pore volume, and pore size distribution) were analyzed using N2/ 77 K adsorption and desorption isotherm curves. The n-butane adsorption and desorption performance were evaluated according to modified ASTM D5228. From the results, the specific surface area and total pore volume of ACFs were determined to be 680–1480 m2/ g and 0.28–1.37 cm3/ g, respectively. Butane activity (BA) of the ACFs increased from 14.1% to 37.1% as the activation time increased, and especially it was found to have highly correlated with pore volume in the 1.5–4.0 nm range.

In this study, we utilized a multi-step stabilization method, incorporating dry-oxidation, to produce high-density polyethylene (HDPE)-based activated carbon fibers. This stabilization was achieved through electron-beam irradiation, sulfonation, and dry oxidation. The stabilized fibers were carbonized and activated at 900 ℃. The crystallite characteristics of the activated carbon fibers were observed using X-ray diffraction, and their surface morphologies were analyzed through scanning electron microscopy. The textural properties were analyzed using N2/ 77 K adsorption–desorption isothermal curves. And leveraging the microdomain model, we explored the influence of these stabilization methods on the HDPE-based activated carbon fibers texture properties. The results show that HDPE fibers treated with sulfonation only at 100 ℃ for 60 min were not sufficiently cross-linked and were completely decomposed during the carbonization stage. However, the sulfonated fibers treated with the new dry-oxidation process maintained their shapes and were successfully activated. The specific surface area of the resulting activated carbon fibers was as much as 2000 m2/ g.

The pitch-based activated carbon fibers (ACFs) were prepared from ethylene tar-derived pitches containing nickelocene (CNi) or nickel nitrate (NiN). The effects of different anions and contents of metal salts on the microstructure and surface chemical properties of fibers were investigated. The results revealed that Ni2+ from CNi mainly remained its pristine molecule in the organometal salt-derived pitch (OP-xCNi), while Ni2+ from NiN occurred complexation reaction with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the inorganic metal salt-derived pitch (IP-xNiN) due to the weaker binding ability between anions and Ni2+ of CNi than CNi. The XRD and SEM results confirmed that IP-3NiN-ACF contained Ni, NiO, Ni2O3 nanoparticles with different size distributions, while OP-3CNi-ACF only contained more uniformly distributed Ni nanoparticles with small size. Furthermore, OP-3.0CNi-ACF presented higher specific surface area of 1862 m2/ g and a pore volume of 1.69 cm3/ g than those of IP-3.0NiN-ACF due to the formation of pore structure during the in-situ catalytic activation of different metal nanoparticles. Therefore, this work further pointed out that the desired pore structure and surface chemistry of pitch-based ACFs could be obtained through regulating and controlling the interaction of anion species, metal cations and PAHs during the synthesis of pitch precursors.

This study investigates the preparation of activated carbon fiber derived from waste cotton fabric for economical and ecofriendly recycling as well as its application to water purification. The activated carbon fiber was prepared by physical activation using steam and the adsorption property was then evaluated using methylene blue. When the activation temperature increased, the specific surface area and mesopore volume of the activated carbon fiber increased up to 2562 m2/ g and 0.214 cm3/ g, resulting in the increased adsorption of methylene blue. The results of the adsorption experiment for the activated carbon fiber were analyzed using the Langmuir and Freundlich equations. The Langmuir equation was more suitable than the Freundlich equation to explain the adsorption equilibrium. The maximum adsorption amount of methylene blue was 161.1–731.5 mg/g for fiber samples activated at temperatures ranging from 750 to 950 °C with sample labeled 750SA to 900SA according to the Langmuir equation. The kinetics of methylene blue adsorption by the activated carbon fiber were analyzed using non-linear pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order. Sample 750SA was suitable for the pseudo-first-order and 800SA, 850SA, and 900SA sample were suitable for the pseudo-second-order. Therefore, waste cotton fabric has the potential to be the precursor for activated carbon fiber with excellent adsorption properties.

The electrochemical capacitive properties of biomass-derived activated carbons are closely dependent on their microscopic structures. Here, activated carbon fibers (ACFs) were prepared from natural cattail fibers by carbonization and further chemical activation. The activation temperature affected on the microscopic structures and electrochemical properties of the activated carbon fibers. The results show that the optimum activation temperature is 800 °C. And the as-prepared ACF- 800 possesses high micropore specific surface area of 710.4 m2 g− 1 and micropore volume of 0.313 cm3 g− 1, respectively. For supercapacitor applications, the ACF-800 displays a high specific capacitance of 249 F g− 1 at a current density of 0.05 A g− 1, excellent rate performance and cycle stability in a three-electrode system. The excellent electrochemical performance indicated that the obtained activated carbon fibers could be a promising electrode material in supercapacitor.

Increasing demand for fossil fuels is associated with massive atmospheric CO2 levels. Considering that numerous studies have been published with CO2 capturing techniques, utilizing techniques are yet in early stage with financial or technical issues. As a part of chemical conversion in CO2 utilization, this paper investigated the performance of a CO2 and H2O mixture (CHM) onto activated carbon fibers (ACF) for surface modification. CHM-treated ACF samples were prepared at a pressure of 20 bar with 100 °C of water vapor and 750 μL of CO2 for 1 h through the gas-phase, and labeled as C-ACF850. For the control sample, N-ACF850 was also prepared by the impregnation of nitric acid. Physiochemical analyses revealed that the overall characteristics of C-ACF850 lay between ACF850 and N-ACF850. C-ACF850 experienced minimized surface area decrement (21.92% better than N-ACF850), but increased surface functional groups (50.47% better than ACF850). C-ACF850 also showed preferable adsorption efficiency on selected metals, in which case both physical and chemical properties of adsorbent affect the overall adsorption efficiency. In this regard, a novel applicability of CHM may present an appealing alternative to traditionally used strong acids.

Fibrous adsorbents, such as activated carbon fibers (ACF) have acknowledged advantages of rapid adsorption rate and ease of modification compared with granular and powdered adsorbents. Based on the surface modification of lyocell-based ACF, we observed different surface characteristics of ACF samples with variation in the mixing ratio and impregnation time of H3PO4, NaCl, and KMnO4 solution. For an engineering application, we also explored the adsorption characteristics of thusproduced ACF samples onto volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Isothermal adsorption experiments were performed using toluene and benzene as adsorbates. Results indicate that both physical and chemical surface properties have an effect on the adsorption of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

In this study, activated carbon with well-developed mesopores was fabricated using kenaf short fibers as a representative biomass. Concentrated phosphoric acid was selected as an activation agent to create highly developed porous structures, and pore development was observed to occur in relation to the weight ratio of phosphoric acid and kenaf. The pore characteristics of the kenaf-based activated carbon were determined using the N2/ 77K adsorption isotherm, and its microcrystalline structure was analyzed using X-ray diffraction. The highest specific surface area (1570 m2/g) was observed when the weight ratio of phosphoric acid to kenaf was 3:1, and the highest mesopore fraction (74%) was observed at 4:1. The carbonization yield was 45–35%, which is higher than that of commercial activated carbon. The production of porous carbon material by this method offers high potential for application because it can be controlled over a wide range of average pore diameter from 2.48 to 5.44 nm.

본 연구에서는 활성탄소섬유를 이용하여 축전식 탈염공정에 적용할 탄소전극을 제조하였다. polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)를 바인더로 사용했으며 적절한 용매에 활성탄소섬유를 배합한 후 상용의 그라파이트 시트에 캐스팅하여 탄소전극을 제조하였다. 이 때 활성탄소섬유의 입자 크기를 달리하였고, 용매, 고분자 바인더 그리고 활성탄소섬유를 80 : 2 : 18, 80 : 5 : 15의 배합비율로 전극을 제조하였다. 그런 다음 염 제거 효율을 흡착전압과 시간, 탈착전압과 시간, NaCl 공급액의 농도와 유속 등에 운전조건에 대하여 염 제거 효율을 측정하였다. 대표적으로 활성탄소섬유의 입자크기가 32 μm 이하이며 80 : 2 : 18의 배합비율에서 1.2 V, 3분의 흡착조건, -0.1 V, 1분의 탈착조건, NaCl 100 mg/L, 15 mL/min의 공급액 조건에서 53.6%의 염 제거 효율을 보였다.

TiO2-doped activated carbon fibers (ACFs) were successfully prepared as capacitive deionization (CDI) electrode materials by facile ultrasonication-assisted process. ACFs were treated with titanium isopropoxide (TTIP) and isopropyl alcohol solutions of different concentrations and then calcinated by ultrasonication without heat-treatment. The results show that a certain amount of anatase TiO2 was present on the ACF surface. The specific capacitance of the TiO2-doped ACF electrode was remarkably improved (by 93.8% at scan rate of 50 mV s–1) over that of the untreated ACF electrode, despite decreases in the specific surface area and total pore volume upon TiO2 doping. From the CDI experiments, the salt adsorption capacity and charge efficiency of the sample with TTIP percent concentration of 15% were found to considerably increase by 71.9 and 57.1%, respectively. These increases are attributed to the improved wettability of the electrode, which increases the number of surface active sites and facilitates salt ion diffusion in the ACF pores. Additionally, the Ti-OH groups of TiO2 act as electrosorption sites, which increases the electrosorption capacity.

Activated carbon fiber (ACF) surfaces are modified using an electron beam under different aqueous solutions to improve the NO gas sensitivity of a gas sensor based on ACFs. The oxygen functional group on the ACF surface is changed, resulting in an increase of the number of non-carbonyl (-C-O-C-) groups from 32.5% for pristine ACFs to 39.53% and 41.75% for ACFs treated with hydrogen peroxide and potassium hydroxide solutions, respectively. We discover that the NO gas sensitivity of the gas sensor fabricated using the modified ACFs as an electrode material is increased, although the specific surface area of the ACFs is decreased because of the recovery of their crystal structure. This is attributed to the static electric interaction between NO gas and the non-carbonyl groups introduced onto the ACF surfaces.

Two pitches with different average molecular structures were electrospun and compared in terms of the properties of their fibers after oxidative stabilization, carbonization, and activation. The precursor with a higher molecular weight and greater content of aliphatic groups (Pitch A) resulted in better solubility and spinnability compared to that with a lower molecular weight and lower aliphatic group content (Pitch B). The electrical conductivity of the carbon fiber web from Pitch A of 67 S/cm was higher than that from Pitch B of 52 S/cm. The carbon fiber web based on Pitch A was activated more readily with lower activation energy, resulting in a higher specific surface area compared to the carbon fiber based on Pitch B (Pitch A, 2053 m2/g; Pitch B, 1374 m2/g).

Activated carbon fibers (ACFs) were prepared from cost effective commercial textiles through stabilization, carbonization, and subsequently activation by carbon dioxide. ACFs were characterized for surface area and pore size distribution by physical adsorption of nitrogen at 77 K. ACFs were also examined for various surface characteristics by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and CHNO elemental analyzer. The prepared ACFs exhibited good surface textural properties with well developed micro porous structure. With improvement in physical strength, the commercial textile grade acrylic precursor based ACFs developed in this study may have great utility as cost effective adsorbents in environmental remediation applications.

Oxidized PAN (OXI-PAN) fibers were used for the precursors of activated carbon fiber in study. How drying temperature affected the properties of carbon fibers on activating process of carbon fibers was investigated. The specific surface areas of activated carbon fibers have been determined on a series of chemically activated carbons with KOH and NaOH. The experimental data showed variations in specific surface area, iodine and silver adsorptions by the activated carbon fibers. The amount of iodine adsorption increases with increasing specific surface areas in both activation methods. This was because the ionic radius of iodine was smaller than the interior micropore size of activated carbon fibers. Silver adsorbed well in NaOH activated carbon fibers rather than KOH activated carbon fibers in this study.

Plasma polymerization of allylamine subsequently after plasma pre-treatment was conducted on the activated carbon fibers (ACFs) for the immobilization of amine groups in the surface of ACFs. The change of structural properties of ACFs with respect to different polymerization conditions was investigated through BET method. The change of surface morphologies of ACFs with respect to different plasma polymerization power was also studied through AFM. It was found that the structural properties such as specific surface area and micropore volume could be optimized under certain plasma deposition conditions. It was reckoned that treatment and deposition showed adverse effect on plasma polymerization, in which the former developed the micro-structures of the ACFs and the latter tended to block the micro pores. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed that the poly(allylamine) was successfully immobilized on the surface of ACFs and the amount of the deposited polymer layer was related to the plasma polymerization power. SEM results showed that the plasma deposited polymer layer were small and homogenously distributed. The size and the distribution of particles deposited were closely related to the plasma polymerization power, too.