A magic-angle spinning NMR study into the adsorption of deuterated water by activated carbon Original Research Article

Magic-angle spinning deuterium NMR spectra have been used to evaluate the effects of activation to different extents of nutshell and coal-based carbon substrates on the adsorption of water (D2O). In general, separate signals are seen for water adsorbed in the micropores and in larger channels or at particle surfaces. The unactivated carbon shows negligible micropore adsorption except when it is pretreated in a vacuum. This fact is attributed to a blocking effect of oxygen, nitrogen and/or water molecules in the pores.