Abstract
OXI-PAN fibers, Kynol fibers and rayon fibers were used as precursorsfor the preparation of activated carbon fibers (ACFs) by chemical activation with KOH at $800^{\circ}C$. The effects of different precursorfibers and fiber/KOH ratios on the final ACFs are discussed. The precursor fibers used are appropriate for the ACFs in a single stage pyrolysis process. The OXI-PAN fibers which were activated with KOH of 2.0M showed a specific surface area of $2328m^2/g$ however, loosed the fiber shape because of low yields. The Kynol fibers and Rayon fibers showed the high yields but the lower specific surface area of $900m^2/g$ and $774m^2/g$, respectively, at KOH of 1.5M. The OXI-PAN fibers which were activated with KOH of 1.5M have a specific surface area of $1028m^2/g$ and higher micro-pore volumes and lower yields rather than Kynol-1.5 and Rayon-1.5 samples. This phenomenon is because of higher chemical resistance of the Kynol and Rayon fibers rather than OXI-PAN fibers. However, the Kynol fibers were the best precursors on KOH activation at $800^{\circ}C$ considered carbon yields, surface areas and micropore volumes.