Abstract
The rigid matrix of amorphous carbon which is composed of disperse graphitic layers responsible for both constrictions and wider pores is found to be somewhat flexible. Nitrogen which is a non-swelling molecule could easily dilate critical constrictions in low-activated carbons. Low-pressure hystereses are observed for nitrogen isotherms at 77 K on these carbons. Study of the nitrogen hystereses of gradually activated ultramicroporous carbon fibres shows that air at 400 °C activates the carbon much more vigorously than CO2 and steam at 800 °C. It is shown that air activation produces heterogeneous carbon with unactivated regions inside the fibres, while CO2 and steam homogeneously activate all the carbon matrix.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: