Activated carbon (AC), extensively used across various industrial sectors, serves as a sponge for different types of gases due to its porous carbon material. These gases are attracted to the carbon substrate via van der Waals forces. In nuclear power plants, AC is commonly used to adsorb radioactive gases such as 86Kr and 134Xe, as well as radioiodine sources like 131I and 133I from gaseous effluents. Even if the adsorbed radioactive gases and radioiodine decay into non-radioactive elements, the spent AC still contains radioactive species with long half-lives, such as 3H (Tritium, T) and 14C (radiocarbon). Minimizing and separating waste that contains long-lived nuclides (e.g., 14C) are pivotal components of an efficient waste management approach. A challenging aspect of effectively managing disposed AC is to minimize long-lived radioactive substances by eliminating them. This paper explores and summarizes the technology used to remove pollutants (3H, 14C) trapped within the pores of Activated carbon through thermochemical vacuum and surface oxidation processes. By recycling and reusing spent Activated carbon, we anticipate a reduction in the volume of radioactive waste, leading to decreased disposal costs. Furthermore, this paper will contribute as a valuable reference in future studies, enhancing the understanding of vacuum thermal desorption and surface oxidation of used Activated carbon.

In this study, nitric acid oxidation with varied treatment temperature and time was conducted on the surfaces of polyacrylonitrile- based ultrahigh modulus carbon fibers. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and surface tension/dynamic contact angle instruments were used to investigate changes in surface topography and chemical functionality before and after surface treatment. Results showed that the nitric acid oxidation of ultrahigh modulus carbon fibers resulted in decreases in the values of the crystallite thickness Lc and graphitization degree. Meanwhile, increased treating temperature and time made the decreases more obviously. The surfaces of ultrahigh modulus carbon fibers became much more activity and functionality after surface oxidation, e.g., the total surface energy of oxidized samples at 80 °C for 1 h increased by 27.7% compared with untreated fibers. Effects of surface nitric acid oxidation on the mechanical properties of ultrahigh modulus carbon fibers and its reinforced epoxy composites were also researched. Significant decreases happened to the tensile modulus of fibers due to decreased Lc value after the nitric acid oxidation. However, surface treatment had little effect on the tensile strength even as the treating temperature and processing time increased. The highest interfacial shear strength of ultrahigh modulus carbon fibers/epoxy composites increased by 25.7% after the nitric acid oxidation. In the final, surface oxidative mechanism of ultrahigh modulus carbon fibers in the nitric acid oxidation was studied. Different trends of the tensile strength and tensile modulus of fibers in the nitric acid oxidation resulted from the typical skin–core structure.