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Modified surface chemistry of activated carbons

Correlation with immersion enthalpy

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Abstract

In this study, immersion calorimetry was used to characterise different samples of commercial granular activated carbon (GAC) which undergo oxidation with HNO3 (GACOxN) and thermal treatments to modify its superficial group contents, as well as to determine the textural characteristics of the materials through nitrogen adsorption at 77 K and its superficial chemistry by Boehm titration and zero point of charge. Correlations between the immersion enthalpies and the results of the other techniques of characterisation were established. The immersion enthalpies in dichloromethane obtained were greater, which were found to be between −88.36 and −155.6 J g−1, in contrast to those in carbon tetrachloride, which were found to be between −50.21 and −94.29 J g−1. The dependence of the immersion enthalpies in water on the contents of total acidity and basicity surface groups was also established, and a good correlation between the accessible surface area determined by calorimetric technique and the BET area was found.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Master Agreement established between the University of the Andes and the University National of Colombia, and the Memorandum of Understanding established by the Departments of Chemistry from both the universities. The authors express their thanks to Research Vice-Rectory of University National of Colombia for the financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Cra 30 No 45-03, Bogotá DC, Colombia

    Paola Rodríguez-Estupiñán & Liliana Giraldo

  2. Departamento Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de los Andes, Cra. 1ª No. 18ª-10, Bogotá DC, Colombia

    Juan C. Moreno-Piraján

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  1. Paola Rodríguez-Estupiñán
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  2. Liliana Giraldo
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  3. Juan C. Moreno-Piraján
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Correspondence to Juan C. Moreno-Piraján.

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Rodríguez-Estupiñán, P., Giraldo, L. & Moreno-Piraján, J.C. Modified surface chemistry of activated carbons. J Therm Anal Calorim 114, 245–251 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-012-2932-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-012-2932-z

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