Carbon, Activated Also called an Activated Carbon or Activated Charcoal, occurs as a black substance, varying in particle size from coarse granules to a fine powder. It is a solid, porous, carbonaceous material prepared by carbonizing and activating organic substances. The raw materials, which include sawdust, peat, lignite, coal, cellulose residues, coconut shells, and petroleum coke, may be carbonized and activated at a high temperature with or without the addition of inorganic salts in a stream of activating gases such as steam or carbon dioxide. Alternatively, carbonaceous matter may be treated with a chemical activating agent such as phosphoric acid or zinc chloride, and the mixture carbonized at an elevated temperature, followed by removal of the chemical activating agent by water washing. Activated Carbon ( Activated Charcoal) is insoluble in water and in organic solvents.
Function: Decolorizing agent; taste- and odor-removing agent; purification agent in food processing.
