Activated Charcol

Activated Charcoal is a fine, odorless, black powder often used in emergency rooms to treat overdoses. Charcoal is made from coal, wood, or other substances. It becomes “activated charcoal” when high temperatures combine with a gas or activating agent to expand its surface area. It is also called activated carbon, which is a form of carbon processed to have small, low-volume pores that increase the surface area available for adsorption or chemical reactions. Its toxin-absorbing properties have a wide range of medicinal and cosmetic uses, though none are scientifically proven. Making activated charcoal involves heating carbon-rich materials, such as wood, peat, coconut shells, or sawdust, to very high temperatures. Due to its high degree of microporosity, one gram of activated carbon has a surface area in excess of 3,000 m2 (32,000 sq ft) as determined by gas adsorption. An activation level sufficient for useful applications may be obtained solely from the high surface area. Further chemical treatment often enhances adsorption properties. This process also reduces the size of the pores in the charcoal and makes more holes in each molecule, therefore, increasing its overall surface area.