Vacuum-assisted synthesis of spherical activated carbon using coal tar pitch with low softening point by copolymerization
Abstract
Coal tar pitch with a softening point (SP) of 78 °C is mixed with divinylbenzene (DVB) and then spheroidized by suspension method in dimethyl silicone oil for 1 h. During the spheroidization process, the mixtures of pitch and DVB are copolymerized due to vinyl in DVB. After vacuum-assisted heat treatment, the copolymer spheres can be stabilized completely and then carbonized directly at high temperature under Ar atmosphere without melting and deformation. After activation using steam at 850 °C for 1.5 h, spherical activated carbon (SAC) with smooth surface and specific surface area SBET = 520 m2 g-1 can be prepared. Further studies show that mesopore volume of the SAC is 0.29 cm3 g-1, which accounts for 72.5% of the total pore volume. The good spherical morphology, smooth surface and rich pores (micropores and mesopores) can be attributed to appropriate copolymerization and vacuum-assisted treatment.
- Publication:
-
Vacuum
- Pub Date:
- December 2018
- DOI:
- 10.1016/j.vacuum.2018.10.003
- Bibcode:
- 2018Vacuu.158..215S
- Keywords:
-
- Spherical activated carbon;
- Vacuum;
- Copolymerization;
- Coal tar pitch