Electroless copper deposition on a pitch-based activated carbon fiber and an application for NO removal

Pitch fibers were prepared from petroleum-derived isotropic pitch precursors using melt-blown spinning. Activated carbon fibers (ACF) were formed from pitch fibers and after stabilization, carbonization and steam thermal activation were then further activated with Pd-Sn catalytic nuclei in a single-step process. The activated ACF were then used as supporters in the specific, electroless deposition of fine copper particles. Field emission scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy results showed that the ACF were uniformly coated with nearly pure fine copper particles, and the copper content on the ACF increased with deposition time. The amounts of copper on the ACF and their crystalline characteristics were analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma and a X-ray diffractometry, respectively. With the copper particles-deposited on the ACF, the removal of nitrogen monoxide (NO) for four different deposition times (5, 10, 15 and 20 min) was tested. Experiments on the removal of NO were carried out in a packed bed tubular reactor with various reaction temperatures ranging between 423 and 673 K. For all deposition times, the NO removal efficiency increased with increasing reaction temperature up to 673 K. The NO removal efficiency was the highest when the amount was Cu/ACF = 110 mg/g (deposition time of 5 min), however, decreased at Cu/ACF beyond 110 mg/g (deposition times of 10, 15, 20 min) due to the decreased adsorption as a result of the increased amount of copper.