The Effect of Oxidation Temperature on Activating Commercial Viscose Rayon-Based Carbon Fibers to Make the Activated Carbon Fibers (ACFs)

Abstract

In this work, commercial Viscose (cellulosic based precursor) rayon-based carbon fibers were oxidized to make activated carbon fibers (ACFs). Carbon fibers were made from Viscose fibers in carbonization process at 1200°C. The ultimate carbon fibers possessed carbon content above 94 mass% and fiber dimension about 8 mm. These fibers were activated to make ACFs by oxidizing gas such as steam of carbon dioxide. The experiments were conducted at temperature ranged from 800°C to 900°C with carbonic steam’s flow of 3 l.min-1. The vaporous benzene adsorbability of activated carbon fibers was then measured by Mark Bell method. The adsorbability (a) and specific surface area (ABET) of ACFs were determined. The properties of the produced ACFs were investigated and analyzed by SEM and TEM imaging. The results showed that obtained fibers have maximum benzene adsorbability of 4.58 mmol.g-1 and BET surface area reached 1357 m2.g-1. These activated carbon fibers were able to use for toxic chemical prevention equipment.