Effect of potassium-permanganate modification on the microstructure and adsorption property of activated carbon

Abstract

Potassium permanganate was loaded onto activated carbon using the impregnation method to obtain modified activated carbon. The activated carbon and activated carbon loaded with potassium permanganate were then placed in a closed, newly decorated house. It was found that formaldehyde amount decreased sharply after the adsorption of the activated carbon, and further decreased after the adsorption of the activated carbon modified with potassium permanganate. By measuring the amount of formaldehyde in the room before and after the adsorption of the activated carbon, the adsorption capacity of the two with respect to formaldehyde was compared. The experimental results showed that the adsorption capacity of the potassium-permanganate-modified activated carbon increased significantly. A specific-surface-area and porosity analyzer, field-emission scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and powder X-ray diffractometer were used to characterize the activated carbon modified with potassium permanganate. The specific surface area of the activated carbon modified with potassium permanganate increased significantly, the number of micropores increased and the pore size decreased. In addition, the mechanism of its adsorption of formaldehyde was discussed.