Preparation of activated carbon cloths from viscous rayon. Part III. Effect of carbonization on CO₂ activation

Viscous rayon cloth was carbonized under different experimental conditions. The final temperature was 850°C, using heating rates of 0.5, 1, 3 and 5°C min^-1; an additional char was obtained at 5°C min^-1 but introducing an isothermal stage at 230°C a temperature near the pyrolytic decomposition of the precursor. A sixth char was prepared by treating the precursor in air at 230°C for 2.7 h before carbonization at 5°C min^-1 up to 850°C. All chars were activated under a flow of carbon dioxide at 825°C. The effect of carbonization conditions on the porosity, mechanical strength and oxygen surface groups of resultant activated carbon cloth is analyzed, in order to optimize the properties of the final product.