Activated carbon is an amorphous form of carbon that has undergone an activation process. It typically appears

 in powder, granular, or pelletized forms and possesses strong adsorption capabilities. The activation process

 serves to remove various oils and impurities from the surface of the amorphous carbon, thereby increasing its

 pore density, enlarging its specific surface area, and enhancing its surface activity; this enables it to adsorb

 numerous gases as well as specific solutes found in liquids or solutions.

Methods for preparing activated carbon can be broadly categorized into three types: physical activation (also

 known as gas activation), chemical activation, and combined physicochemical activation. Among these,

 chemical activation is the method most frequently employed in industrial production.

The preparation of activated carbon typically involves two distinct stages: carbonization and activation. It is

 generally synthesized from precursors characterized by a high carbon content; these precursors primarily

 include various natural raw materials (such as wood and fossil fuels) and their derivatives (such as pitch and

 petroleum coke), as well as synthetic precursors (such as polymeric materials).

Variations in raw materials or alterations in the preparation process inevitably result in differences in the pore

 structure of the resulting activated carbon, thereby determining its specific adsorption properties.

As an exceptional adsorbent, catalyst, and catalyst support, activated carbon plays a pivotal role across a

 multitude of fields—including catalysis, water treatment, air purification, pharmaceutical applications, energy

 storage, and electrode materials. Consequently, it has emerged as an indispensable class of functional

 materials for both national economic development and defense construction.Furthermore, activated carbon possesses significant practical value in that it can be regenerated and reused.