Adsorption of Ammonia on the Sulfuric Acid Treated ACF

For the adsorption of ammonia, activated carbon fibers (ACFs) were subjected to sulfuric acid treatment in order to modify the surface functional groups. The surface acid and base value of ACFs were measured using titration and FT-IR spectrometry. SEM was used to investigate the surface morphology. Acid treatments by $H_3PO_4$, $H_2SO_4$, and $HNO_3$ were performed to increase the adsorption capacity of $NH_3$. As a result, Cellulose-based ACF has high adsorption capacity for ammonia. The ammonia removal efficiency of ACF was the maximum which was treated by 15 wt% sulfuric acid at $100^{\circ}C$ for 60 min. The average pore diameter little increased from $19{\AA}$ to $20.8{\AA}$ and the specific surface area of ACF considerably decreased and acid values increased by 15 wt% sulfuric acid treatment. Ammonia reacted with sulfonyl radicals. After adsorption of ammonia, white material was grown on the surface of ACF through the adsorption of ammonia and it was determined to ammonium sulfate.