Surface chemical properties edge carbon atoms

Furthermore, the presence or absence of surface groups, formed by heteroatoms (atoms different to the carbon atom), that may bond themselves to the carbon atoms at the edges of the basal planes gives rise to carbons with different chemical properties. The physical and chemical properties are of great importance for the behaviour of carbon adsorbents and they will be discussed in depth in other chapters of this book. We would like, however, to outline here some basic concepts and provide an overall view of the importance that these properties have for the adsorption processes. 

In the different adsorption processes, both in gas and liquid phase, the molecules or atoms (adsorbable) are fixed (adsorbed) on the carbon (adsorbent) surface by physical interactions (electrostatic and dispersive forces) and/or chemical bonds. Therefore, a relatively large specific surface area is one of the most important properties that characterize carbon adsorbents. The surface of tlie activated carbons consists mainly of basal planes and the edges of the planes that form the edges of miciociystallites. 

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