Surface studies of Cu/Cr/Ag impregnated microporous carbons

Nitrogen adsorption at 77 K and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) have been used to study a Cu/Cr/Ag impregnated active carbon (ASC) and a similar but unimpregnated carbon (BPL). The nitrogen data are shown to give information about the physical effects of impregnation upon the pore structure of the carbon whilst the surface elemental compositions of the carbons are obtained from XPS experiments. The oxidation states and radial distribution of the reactive metal ions detected by XPS are also considered.