Activated carbon
Activated Carbon
Activated carbon (pronunciation: /ækˈtɪveɪtɪd ˈkɑːrbən/), also known as activated charcoal or active carbon, is a form of carbon processed to have small, low-volume pores that increase the surface area available for adsorption or chemical reactions.
Etymology
The term "activated carbon" comes from its process of activation. The carbon is "activated" by processing it at very high temperatures, which changes its internal structure, reducing the size of its pores and increasing its surface area.
Description
Activated carbon is a highly porous substance that attracts and holds organic chemicals inside it. It is a form of carbon that has been processed to make it extremely porous and thus to have a very large surface area available for adsorption or chemical reactions. The word adsorption is important here: this is not absorption. The toxins are bound to the activated carbon; they are not soaked up by the carbon.
Uses
Activated carbon is used in gas purification, decaffeination, gold purification, metal extraction, water purification, medicine, sewage treatment, air filters in gas masks and respirators, filters in compressed air, and many other applications.
Related Terms
- Adsorption
- Chemical reaction
- Gas purification
- Water purification
- Sewage treatment
- Air filters
- Decaffeination
- Gold purification
- Metal extraction
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Activated carbon
- Wikipedia's article - Activated carbon
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