Characterization of activated carbon fibers using argon adsorption

In this paper, we present results of the internal structure (pore size and pore wall thickness distributions) of a series of activated carbon fibers with different degrees of burn-off, determined from interpretation of argon adsorption data at 87 K using infinite and finite wall thickness models. The latter approach has recently been developed in our laboratory. The results show that while the low bun-off samples have nearly uniform pore size (<0.6 nm), the pore size distribution of the high burn-off samples becomes broader, with a significant increase in proportion of larger pores. The results of pore wall thickness distribution are generally consistent with development of porosity with increasing degree of burn-off. Further they show good correspondence with X-ray diffraction.