What is the Difference Between Activated Carbon and Charcoal?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Activated carbon and charcoal are similar substances, but they have some key differences. They are both hard, porous substances that can capture contaminants. The primary difference between them is their source materials and the processes used to create them:
- Source Materials: While charcoal is traditionally made from wood, activated carbon can be made from various sources, including wood, peat, nutshells, coconut husks, lignite, coal, coir, or petroleum pitch.
- Processes: Both activated carbon and charcoal can be created through pyrolysis, a process that involves burning a carbonaceous substance without oxygen. However, activated carbon can also be made using chemical activation, which involves impregnating the carbon with certain chemicals, such as sodium hydroxide, phosphoric acid, potassium hydroxide, sodium chloride, or zinc chloride.
Despite these differences, the terms "activated carbon" and "activated charcoal" are often used interchangeably. Both substances are highly porous and can effectively capture and hold organic chemicals inside their structures. In some cases, activated carbon is considered to be purer and of better quality than activated charcoal. However, both materials can be used for filtration and purification purposes, and the choice between them may depend on factors such as cost, availability, and specific application requirements.
Comparative Table: Activated Carbon vs Charcoal
Here is a table comparing the differences between activated carbon and charcoal:
| Property | Charcoal | Activated Carbon |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Charcoal is a carbon residue made from partially burned wood and other organic materials with limited air supply. | Activated carbon is a highly porous and adsorbent form of carbon, typically derived from high-purity carbon sources such as coconut shells or bamboo. |
| Production | Charcoal is produced by burning organic materials like wood, peat, or coconut shells in the absence of oxygen. | Activated carbon is produced by treating charcoal with oxygen to increase its porosity. |
| Purity | Charcoal can contain impurities such as ash, tar, or other contaminants. | Activated carbon is usually made from high-purity carbon sources, resulting in a cleaner and more consistent product. |
| Surface Area | Charcoal has a lower surface area due to its production process. | Activated carbon has a much larger surface area, which enhances its adsorption capabilities. |
| Adsorption | Charcoal is less effective in filtering and adsorption due to its lower surface area. | Activated carbon is more effective in filtering and adsorption because of its increased surface area. |
| Applications | Charcoal is primarily used as a fuel source. | Activated carbon is used in a wide range of applications, including environmental remediation, medical treatments, and water and air purification. |
Please note that the terms "activated carbon" and "activated charcoal" are often used interchangeably to describe the same material, as mentioned in.
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