Abstract

Surface-modified activated carbon fibers (ACFs) with nitrogen-containing groups were prepared by the heat treatment of ACFs with urea, and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermogravimetry (TG). The removal activity of the samples was also tested at an SO₂ concentration of 22800 mg/Nm³. The results showed that the surface-modified ACFs significantly improved the SO₂-removal ability compared to the unmodified ones. The amount of C=O and the nitrogen-containing groups on the surface of the N-modified ACFs increased, resulting in improved SO₂-removal ability. The sample prepared with a urea concentration of 0.15 g/ml showed the best SO₂-removal performance.

Keywords: Activated carbon fibers, desulfurization, high-concentration, nitrogen-containing group, surface modification, sulfur dioxide.