Preparation of CPVC-based activated carbon spheres and insight into the adsorption-desorption performance for typical volatile organic compounds

Abstract

Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC)-based activated carbon spheres with smooth surfaces, good sphericity, interconnected hierarchical porous structure and high porosity have been synthesized by non-solvent induced phase separation method, followed by successive treatments of stabilization, carbonization at 450 °C in N2 atmosphere, and activation with CO2 as an agent at 900–1000 °C. The effect of activation temperatures on the textural properties of activated carbon spheres and their adsorption potential for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under dynamic conditions is investigated. CO2 activation improves the hierarchy in the microporous range by stimulating the formation of supermicropores and significantly expands the specific surface area and pore volume of activated carbon spheres. The textural properties of adsorbents play a vital role in the adsorption performance of different VOCs. The adsorption capacity of VOC molecules can be greatly promoted by elevating specific surface area and pore volume. Due to the compatibility difference between the VOC molecules and the pore structure of adsorbents, the adsorption capacity follows the order of toluene > m-xylene > n-hexane. The adsorption isotherm of toluene on CPVC-AC1000 can be generally expressed by the Langmuir model. The adsorbents with larger average pore diameters possess a lower activation energy of desorption, which is beneficial for desorption. The carbon sphere activated at 1000 °C is a high-performance adsorbent with good reusability. Thus, the present study provides a synthesis process to produce the activated carbon spheres with high porosity from low-cost CPVC for its application in VOC adsorption.