The surface chemical structure of activated carbon fibers (ACF) was modified by cerous nitrate. The pore structure and surface chemical structure were characterized by nitrogen adsorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermal gravimetric analysis-Fourier transformation infrared integrated technology. Results show that Ce(IV)-treatment can result in about a 10-20% decrease of specific surface area of the modified ACF, however this treatment cannot obviously change the micro-pore size distribution. Surface chemical structure analysis based on XPS indicates that Ce( IV) -treatment can evidently increase the oxygen content of ACF from 11 to 25 atom% depending on the concentration of cerous nitrate. In situ IR analysis of the decomposition gases from ACF during heating to high temperature shows that the chemical treatment of ACF with a higher concentration of cerous nitrate can form many oxygen-containing groups such as carboxyl or lactone groups on the modified ACF, which is consistent with. the results based on XPS.

Certain noble metals such as silver or gold were supported onto activated carbon fibers using oxidation-reduction properties of activated carbon fibers. The pore structure and surface chemistry of these activated carbon fibers, as well as the particle distribution of metal particles on activated carbon fibers have been characterized. The adsorption properties of xenon on these porous carbon supported noble metals at 35°C have been studied. The results show that the xenon adsorption capacity on activated carbon fiber is evidently enhanced by the supporting of proper amount of noble metals such as silver or gold, which are due to the modification of pore size distribution and surface chemistry of activated carbon fiber, as well as the increase of adsorption potential by the supporting of noble metals.