Modified carbon adsorbents and processes for adsorption using the same

Abstract

An adsorbent composition containing a modified carbonaceous material capable of adsorbing an adsorbate is disclosed, wherein at least one organic group is attached to the carbonaceous material. Furthermore, methods to increase the adsorption capacity of a carbonaceous material capable of adsorbing an adsorbate and methods to adsorb an adsorbate using the above-described adsorbent composition are also disclosed.

1 . An adsorbent composition comprising a modified carbonaceous material capable of adsorbing an adsorbate wherein at least one organic group is attached to said modified carbonaceous material.  
     
     
         2 - 25 . (canceled)  
     
     
         26 . The adsorbent composition of  claim 1 , wherein said organic group contains an exchangeable ion.  
     
     
         27 . An ion exchange material comprising the adsorbent composition of  claim 26 .  
     
     
         28 . A catalyst comprising a modified carbonaceous material having attached at least one organic group, wherein said organic group comprises an aromatic group or a C 1 -C 12  alkyl group directly attached to the carbonaceous material.  
     
     
         29 . The catalyst of  claim 28 , wherein said organic group is (C 6 H 4 )—SO 3   − Na + , (C 6 H 4 )—SO 3   −  Li + , or (C 6 H 4 )SO 3   − K + .  
     
     
         30 . The catalyst of  claim 28 , wherein said organic group is p-C 6 H 4 SO 2 NH 2  or —C 6 H 4 NH 2 .  
     
     
         31 . The catalyst of  claim 28 , wherein said organic group is hydrophilic.  
     
     
         32 . The catalyst of  claim 28 , wherein said modified carbonaceous material is activated carbon or carbon black.  
     
     
         33 . The catalyst of  claim 28 , wherein said organic group contains an exchangeable ion.  
     
     
         34 . The catalyst of  claim 28 , wherein said organic group further comprises a functional group.  
     
     
         35 . The catalyst of  claim 28 , further comprising an ionic group, an ionizable group, or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         36 . The catalyst of  claim 34 , wherein said functional group is a sulfonic acid group, a sulfinic acid group, a phosphonic acid group, a carboxylic acid group, a quaternary ammonium group, a quaternary phosphonium group, or a salt thereof.  
     
     
         37 . The catalyst of  claim 28 , wherein said aromatic group is a phenyl group or a naphthyl group.