HCl removal using activated carbon fibers electroplated with silver

The surface properties and pore structures of Ag-plated activated carbon fiber (ACF), electroplated with silver were investigated. The ACF was used as the cathode to be plated and electrolytic silver plate was used as anode. The silver content was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. It was found that the silver content influenced porosity development of ACF as the surface area and total pore volume decrease with increasing plating time. The silver electroplating causes pore blocking because of deposition of silver metals on ACF. The results show that the HCL removal efficiency was affected by adsorption properties and catalytic reaction of silver on the ACF.