Chemical activations ZnCl2, activation with

For chemical activation, the main reagents used are KOH, ZnCl2, and H3PO4 [1]. KOH activation is a complex process, involving several redox reactions with carbon, followed by potassium intercalation/insertion and expansion of the structure [2, 3]. In the particular case of H3PO4, carbonization and activation generally proceed simultaneously at temperatures lower than 600°C [4]. 

When chemical activation is considered as a reaction between a solid precursor and the chemical, then concentration, intimacy of mixing, temperature and activation time determine the extent of reaction. For the three activating agents, ZnCl2, H3PO4 and KOH, optimized conditions lead to activated carbons with micropore volumes of 0.5, 0.6 and 0.4 cm g , respectively. 

Caturla F, Molina-Sabio M, Rodnguez-Reinoso F. Preparation of activated carbon by chemical activation with ZnCl2- Carbon 199I 29(7) 999-1007. 

Activated carbon is a porous carbon material, a char which has been subjected to reaction with gases, sometimes with the addition of chemicals (e.g. ZnCl2) before, during or after carbonization in order to increase its adsorptive properties. 

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