ABSTRACT
Activated carbons have recently seen a surge in innovative medicinal uses, as well as filtration and purification of both liquid and gaseous media. Activated carbon is a class of materials characterized by its athletic and catalytic capabilities. Activated carbon is made from a variety of carbonaceous materials that have been modified to enhance their adsorptive properties. Activated carbon is made from a variety of sources, including bituminous coal, bones, coconut shells, lignite, peat, pecan shells, petroleum-based wastes, pulp mill black ash, sugar, wastewater treatment sludge, and wood. For its high specific surface area and micropore volume, activated carbon materials are commonly used chemical adsorbents. This chapter begins with an overview of activated carbon and its various types, followed by a discussion of the science and engineering properties of activated carbon materials that are significant to the processes or methods for preparing activated carbon. In addition, the issues and challenges of activated carbon prepared from the microwave method are discussed in this chapter. Activated carbons are also cost-effective adsorbents in a variety of applications, including water purification, food-grade goods, cosmetics, automotive applications, industrial gas purification, petroleum, and precious metal recovery, particularly gold recovery. These applications are discussed here.
