Removal of NO with the hexamminecobalt(II) solution catalyzed by the activated carbon treated with acetic acid

The simultaneous scrubbing of NO and SO2 can be finished with the Co(NH3)62+ ammonia solution. Activated carbon aids the regeneration of Co(NH3)62+ to retain the ability of absorbing NO. Acetic acid is tried to improve the catalytic capability of activated carbon. The best treatment condition is the carbon samples impregnated in 2.0 mol l−1 HAc solution for 20 h followed by being calcined at 600 °C for 4 h. The HAc modification increases surface area and acidic groups on the carbon surface. The experiments prove that the modified carbon can obtain a higher NO removal efficiency than the original carbon.