Effects of metal loading on activated carbon on its adsorption and desorption characteristics

Metal loaded activated carbons (AC) were synthesized for an application in NH3 enrichment through repeated adsorption and desorption. The metal loaded activated carbons possesses higher NH3 adsorption capacity than the raw AC at room temperature. Mg loaded AC (AC–Mg) showed about 10 times (6.34 mg NH3/g) higher adsorption capacity than raw AC and its adsorption capacity was maintained even in repeated breakthrough tests. Metal loading on activated carbon increased the concentration of surface oxygen, which provides relatively weak adsorption sites for NH3 so that the adsorbed NH3 can be released relatively easier compared to the case of raw AC.