Adsorption and interaction of CO2 and N2O on NaOH-impregnated activated carbon surface

Commercial activated carbon (AC) was selected and impregnated with sodium hydroxide. The carbons were characterized for their surface area, morphology, and functional groups. BET surface area analysis illustrates an average surface area of ca. 1000 m2/g with an average pore radius of 1.5 nm. SEM analysis provided agglomerated particles with sizes of sub-micrometer. The surface acidity of the impregnated AC showed an increase in pHzpc on the raw AC. Both carbons illustrated several functional groups with an increase in the hydroxyl group with impregnation. Adsorption capacities for both carbons against CO2, N2O, and 10