Tailoring micro-mesoporosity in activated carbon fibers to enhance SO2 catalytic oxidation

Enhanced SO2 adsorption of activated carbon fibers is obtained by tailoring a specific micro-mesoporous structure in the fibers. This architecture is obtained via metal catalytic activation of the fibers with a novel precursor, cobalt naphthenate, which contrary to other precursors, also enhances spinnability and carbon fiber yield. In the SO2 oxidation, it is demonstrated that the combination of micropores and large mesopores is the main factor for an enhanced catalytic activity which is superior to that observed in other similar microporous activated carbon fibers. This provides an alternative way for the development of a new generation of catalytic material.The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union’s Research Fund for Coal and Steel research program under Grant Agreement number RFCR-CT-2009- 00004. Assistance from the Spanish Science and Innovation Ministry (CONSOLIDER INGENIO 2010, MAT2010-16194 and Ramon y Cajal research contract of Dr. P. Álvarez) is also acknowledged.Peer reviewe