Surface modification of pitch-based spherical activated carbon by CVD of NH3 to improve its adsorption to uric acid

Surface chemistry of pitch-based spherical activated carbon (PSAC) was modified by chemical vapor deposition of NH3 (NH3-CVD) to improve the adsorption properties of uric acid. The texture and surface chemistry of PSAC were studied by N2 adsorption, pHPZC (point of zero charge), acid–base titration and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). NH3-CVD has a limited effect on carbon textural characteristics but it significantly changed the surface chemical properties, resulting in positive effects on uric acid adsorption. After modification by NH3-CVD, large numbers of nitrogen-containing groups (especially valley-N and center-N) are introduced on the surface of PSAC, which is responsible for the increase of pHPZC, surface basicity and uric acid adsorption capacity. Pseudo-second-order kinetic model can be used to describe the dynamic adsorption of uric acid on PSAC, and the thermodynamic parameters show that the adsorption of uric acid on PSAC is spontaneous, endothermic and irreversible process in nature.