Thermal behavior of the phenol–Pd–ACC system Original Research Article

Thermal behavior, morphology features and phenol adsorption as well as Pd catalytic properties in activated carbon cloth (ACC)–Pd–Phenol system and its subsystems were investigated under oxidizing and inert atmospheres. Pd/ACC systems were classified in two types: systems with low Pd loadings (Pd <1.3% wt.) were found to be more active than systems with high Pd loading. Thermal behavior of the systems was described using characteristic temperatures marking the initiation of phenol oxidation (Tp), ACC surface oxidation (Tc) and the carbon gasification (Tg). Analysis of the DTA/TGA profiles was interpreted in terms of desorption, carbonization, oxidative coupling reactions and complete combustion. Data on thermal behavior of systems in argon and air demonstrated a significant catalytic activity of impregnated Pd towards oxidation of ACC surface and its skeleton, and the processes of the phenol/ACC carbonization and oxidation. The results obtained are the basis for development of thermal and catalytic regeneration processes for ACC adsorbent.