Activated carbon

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A porous material obtained from carbon-rich materials, used for its filtration and adsorption properties.

Activated carbon is a carbon-based material treated to develop an extremely porous structure. Thanks to its very large internal surface area, it has significant adsorption capabilities, meaning the ability to retain certain molecules on its surface.

It is made from various carbon-rich raw materials, such as wood, coconut shells, coal or other plant-based materials. After a specific treatment known as activation, the material develops a complex network of micropores that gives it its particular properties.

A material used in many fields

Activated carbon is used in a wide range of sectors, including water treatment, air purification, the food industry, chemistry, pharmaceuticals and certain technical applications.

Its ability to retain different substances makes it a widely used material whenever filtration or purification is required.

The adsorption process

Unlike absorption, which involves a substance penetrating into a material, adsorption refers to the attachment of molecules to its surface. The porous structure of activated carbon provides an extremely large contact surface despite its small volume.

This characteristic explains its use in many applications requiring the capture or reduction of certain molecules present in air or liquid.

Natural origin and processing

Activated carbon is generally obtained from carbon-rich plant-based or mineral materials. After carbonisation and activation, the material acquires its characteristic porous structure.

The final properties of activated carbon may vary depending on the raw material used and the manufacturing process employed.

An essential filtration material

Today, activated carbon is considered one of the most widely used filtration materials in the world. Its effectiveness and versatility explain its presence in many products intended for the purification, filtration or treatment of different air and liquid flows.

Synonyms

Active carbon, Activated charcoal, Activated Carbon

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