Difference between carbon black and activated carbon
The difference between carbon black and activated carbon both are important materials as adsorbing agents. The activated carbon is high technology material which is using in military sector and precision tools.
They have a high surface area compared to their volume, which allows the substance to absorb as much as it can. And call them paracrystalline carbon compounds.
The most important difference between those is that the surface-area-to-volume ratio of carbon black is lower than that of charcoal activated.Carbon black is an adsorbing agent that forms from the incomplete combustion of heavy petroleum products. and c charcoal coal is an adsorbing agent that is derived from charcoal.
What is activated carbon?
Activated carbon also called charcoal-activated coal, is a very useful adsorbent. Due to their high surface area, and high degree of surface reactivity.
The base materials are coconut shell, coal, or wood, each base material may offer a slightly different product, but it will generally function identically in different applications. It’s a very economical solution for different industries because its easy to source.
Moreover, they are economical adsorbents for many industries such as water purification, food-grade products, industrial gas purification, and petroleum.
Charcoal activated coal usage areas
It has a wide range of applications such as food, pharmacy, chemistry, petroleum, mining, nuclear, automobile, waste gas and cleaning of water.
Most of the surface area, high surface reactivity, fit pore distribution, and mechanical durability are the properties sought in it.
Types of activated carbon:
- Granulated
- Pelletized
- Powdered
- Impregnated
- Catalytic
Compared between black and activated carbon
| Activated carbon | Carbon black | |
| NP recursors | Coal_ asphalt and biomass | Petroleum , coal tar and asphalt, |
| Carbon content | 80-90% | >95% |
| Structural features | Amorphous carbon and highly porous | Microcrystall or amorphous carbon particles |
| Preparation method | High_ temperature carbonization (700-1000c)with physical or chemical treatments | Combustion process with little or without air |
A: The key difference lies in their structure, production process and performance purpose. Carbon black is produced by incomplete combustion of petroleum products and is used primarily as a pigment and reinforcing filler. Activated carbon is derived from charcoal, coal or biomass, subjected to high temperature activation to create an extremely porous network for adsorption.
A: Activated carbon has a vastly higher surface-area-to-volume ratio, with many micropores and mesopores engineered for adsorption. Carbon black has lower overall surface area, fewer large pores, and is structured for mechanical reinforcement rather than filtration.
A: Carbon black is generally made from petroleum, coal tar or asphalt feedstocks through furnace, channel or acetylene processes. Activated carbon starts from charcoal, coconut shell, wood, or coal and undergoes carbonization followed by physical or chemical activation (often at 600-1200 °C) to open up the pore structure.