Activated carbon, also known as activated charcoal, is a highly porous form of carbon that has been specially processed to have a large surface area and a vast network of internal pores and channels. It is created from various carbonaceous materials such as coal, wood, coconut shells, or petroleum coke through a process called activation.
The activation process involves subjecting the carbonaceous material to high temperatures (typically between 600 to 900 degrees Celsius) in the presence of an activating agent, which is usually steam or carbon dioxide. This process causes the material to undergo physical and chemical changes, resulting in the development of an extensive internal pore structure.