Activated Carbon

Description

Activated carbon, also known as activated charcoal, is able to filter some chemical compounds from foods, chemicals, and water. It has been commonly used in the water treatment industry since the 90s.

Where to buy activated carbon?

If you would like to know any further information about activated carbon prices or buying this chemical substance, our team at Shanghai Chemex will be glad to help you with that.

Physical properties

Active carbon doesn’t have crystalline structure like diamond. There are two types of activate carbon (like granular activate carbon and powders), and both of these forms can be used in water treatment.

Names	Activated carbon, Active carbon, Activated charcoal
Molecular Weight	12.011 g/mol
Odor	Odorless
Taste	Tasteless
Boiling point	4200 °C
Density	1.8 to 2.1

This compound is neither soluble in water nor in other organic solvents.

How is activated carbon made?

When charcoal is treated with oxygen at high temperatures to create more spaces and holes through which other materials can pass, the black resulting powder is used in many industries.

How does it work?

Charcoal’s porous have negative electric charge so it is able to absorb molecules and toxic gases with positive electric charge.

Applications

This chemical substance has unique properties, which is why it is a common ingredient among industrial raw materials. In this part, we are going to explain some of its applications.

Water treatment

Due to its ability to absorb pollution, this material can remove organic compounds from the water and improve its quality. As a result, we can filter unpleasant odors and tastes from the water.

Adding charcoal water filler to industrial waste water absorbs chemical pollutants like hydrocarbons, detergents, and solvents. Actually, activated carbon is a very cost-effective way to treat industrial and drinking water. New studies have shown that activate carbon filter can also be used in the air conditioning industry to adsorb CO2 and improve air quality.

Chemical laboratories

Active carbon is used in chemical reactions to increase the quality of the products by filtering impurities. It can also remove toxic chemical compounds.

Food industry

Food industries use activate carbon to remove the color and odor of contaminants. It is used in sweetening agents, sodas, and vegetable oils. Additionally, activated charcoal is added to a variety of foods and non-food items, including toothpaste and ice cream.

“Activated charcoal’s negatively charged, porous texture helps trap toxins, preventing your body from absorbing them. It is also effective at trapping gases to alleviate flatulence.”

Healthline

Cosmetic industries

This material is used in some cosmetic products because it has a positive effect on treating acne. It is also used in toothpaste because it can whiten the teeth. Active carbon can remove plaque and other leftover food particles from the teeth.

Activated carbon MSDS

In most cases, activated carbon is considered safe; however, some people may experience symptoms like vomiting with the food-grade type of this chemical.

The bottom line

Activate carbon is manufactured by treating charcoal with oxygen. Charcoal’s porous structure has a negative electric charge, so it is able to absorb positive molecules such as toxic gases. Due to the unique properties of active carbon, it is widely used in several industries, such as food, cosmetics, chemical laboratories, and water treatment industries.

Frequently asked questions

What is activated carbon is used for?

Due to the unique properties of active carbon, it is widely used in several industries, such as food, cosmetics, chemical laboratories, and water treatment industries.

What is difference between activated carbon and charcoal?

When charcoal is treated with oxygen at high temperatures to create more spaces and holes through which other materials can pass, the black resulting powder is used in many industries.

What material is activated carbon?

Activated carbon, also known as activated charcoal, is able to filter some chemical compounds from foods, chemicals, and water. It has been commonly used in the water treatment industry since the 90s.

What are the two types of activated carbon?

Active carbon doesn’t have crystalline structure like diamond. This material appears in different forms (like granules and powders), and both of these forms can be used in water treatment.

What is the pH of activated carbon?

The pH level of activated carbon, which is commonly used, is about 6.50 to 7.33. If industries want to control the pH level of the active carbon, they use sodium hydroxide to reach the desired pH level.