New insights into the influence of activated carbon surface oxygen groups on H2O2 decomposition and oxidation of pre-adsorbed volatile organic compounds

作者：Anfruns Alba^*; Garcia Suarez Eduardo J; Montes Moran Miguel A; Gonzalez Olmos Rafael; Martin Maria J

来源：Carbon, 2014, 77: 89-98.

DOI：10.1016/j.carbon.2014.05.009

In this study, the influence of the surface oxygen groups of activated carbons (ACs) on the decomposition of H2O2 and the consequent (OH)-O-center dot radicals generation is investigated. The oxidation of pre-adsorbed volatile organic compounds by H2O2 is also studied. Four ACs, with low percentage of inorganic matter (%26lt;0.2%), similar textural properties but differing in their surface oxygen content were evaluated. The surface oxygen groups of the ACs were characterised by using appropriate characterisation techniques (temperature programmed desorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy). The kinetic curves of H2O2 decomposition were very similar for all the ACs. However, different profiles in the production of (OH)-O-center dot radicals were observed. (OH)-O-center dot radicals generation seemed to be promoted by low surface oxygen contents. Oxidation of two volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of different polarity, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and toluene, pre-adsorbed onto the ACs was finally investigated. H2O2 was used as oxidising agent. Both VOCs presented similar maximum oxidation rates, around 70%, in spite of their different hydrophobicity. Some evidences are provided supporting that oxidation of pre-adsorbed VOCs can take place in the inner pore structure of the ACs.

• 出版日期2014-10