What is activated carbon

Activated carbon is carbon produced from carbonaceous sources like organicmaterials , and can have millions ( sometimes billions ) of tiny pores on its surface.



Activated carbon has a large surface area per gram and may have molecules adsorbed on the surface. Activation is the removal of those adsorbed materials with heat and an oxidizing atmosphere. The product then has a clean surface with the capacity to adsorb new materials. 

Based on shape, activated carbon classified as granular activared carbon (GAC, broken activated carbon), powered activated carbon PAC, and columnar activated carbon(pellet activated carbon, cylindrical activated carbon and extruded activated carbon).

Based on application, it is classified as liquid purification and air purification activated carbon.

Based on making process, it is classified as pysical making activated carbon and chemical making activated carbon. For example, pysical process is steam, chemical making process is activated carbon by phosphoric acid activation.

Based on materials, also they are classified as coals activated carbon, nuts shell and woods activated carbon (also called activated charcoal), because the last one are made by charcoal.