Influence of the surface chemistry of modified activated carbon on its electrochemical behaviour in the presence of lead(II) ions

Cyclic voltammetric studies of the influence of surface chemistry on the electrochemical behaviour of granulated and powdered activated carbon samples in the presence of lead(II) ions both in bulk solution and pre-adsorbed on carbon were carried out. Variety in surface chemical character was achieved through modification of carbon samples by heat treatment in vacuum, ammonia and ammonia-oxygen atmospheres, as well as by oxidation in moist air and with concentrated nitric acid. For the samples obtained, the surface area (BET), acid–base neutralization capacities and sorption capacity towards Pb2+ ions were estimated. The states of the deposited Pb species were assessed by means of FTIR and XPS spectra as well as cyclic voltammetry. The importance of the surface chemistry of the carbon electrode materials are discussed in terms of their electrochemical properties and the mechanism of adsorption processes. The Cπ-metal and heteroatom-metal interaction are dominant in amphoteric and basic carbons, but in oxidized samples adsorption take place mainly by ion-exchange. Other forms of adsorption, such as the formation metal hydroxide species, are also covered buy this paper. Various forms of adsorbed lead species exhibit different electrochemical activities.