Chemical Safety Assessment of Pitch-Based Activated Carbon Pellets via Highly Toxic Gas Adsorption Properties

Abstract

This study focuses on the preparation of activated carbon using a petroleum-residue-based pitch, as well as the HCl gas adsorption properties of the resulting activated carbon pellets relative to their specific surface area and pore structure. Activated carbon was prepared under various oxidation and chemical activation conditions using pitch with a softening point of 220 °C. The activated carbon was mixed with distilled water, an acrylic binder, and carboxymethyl cellulose in a specific ratio to form pellets. These pellets were then dried in an oven at 80 °C. Scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analyses were performed to evaluate the surface structure and specific surface area of the finalized pellets. HCl gas was adsorbed at a concentration of 50 ppm while examining the adsorption characteristics relative to the pore structure and specific surface area.