NOx adsorption–temperature programmed desorption and surface molecular ions distribution by activated carbon with chemical modification Original Research Article

Activated carbon, the surface of which has been modified with KOH, was used in this study. The study examined adsorption and desorption behaviors and the accompanied surface reaction mechanism as well as the distribution of molecular ions on the surface. The peaks of NOx desorption behavior may be classified into three bond categories depending on adsorption strength. NO desorption occurs at the earliest stage as chemical adsorption occurs earlier, in a sort of competition, than physical adsorption due to strong basic OH− ion of surface. It was confirmed that the adequate temperature for NOx desorption was near 390 °C. The potassium that existed on the surface remained without being consumed even with complete desorption of NOx.