Roles of Sulfuric Acid in Elemental Mercury Removal by Activated Carbon and Sulfur-Impregnated Activated Carbon Eric A. Morris Donald W. Kirk Charles Q. Jia Kazuki Morita 10.1021/es301209t.s001 https://acs.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Roles_of_Sulfuric_Acid_in_Elemental_Mercury_Removal_by_Activated_Carbon_and_Sulfur_Impregnated_Activated_Carbon/2504845 This work addresses the discrepancy in the literature regarding the effects of sulfuric acid (H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>) on elemental Hg uptake by activated carbon (AC). H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> in AC substantially increased Hg uptake by absorption particularly in the presence of oxygen. Hg uptake increased with acid amount and temperature exceeding 500 mg-Hg/g-AC after 3 days at 200 °C with AC treated with 20% H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>. In the absence of other strong oxidizers, oxygen was able to oxidize Hg. Upon oxidation, Hg was more readily soluble in the acid, greatly enhancing its uptake by acid-treated AC. Without O<sub>2</sub>, S­(VI) in H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> was able to oxidize Hg, thus making it soluble in H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>. Consequently, the presence of a bulk H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> phase within AC pores resulted in an orders of magnitude increase in Hg uptake capacity. However, the bulk H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> phase lowered the AC pore volume and could block the access to the active surface sites and potentially hinder Hg uptake kinetics. AC treated with SO<sub>2</sub> at 700 °C exhibited a much faster rate of Hg uptake attributed to sulfur functional groups enhancing adsorption kinetics. SO<sub>2</sub>-treated carbon maintained its fast uptake kinetics even after impregnation by 20% H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>. 2012-07-17 00:00:00 oxidize Hg Hg uptake capacity Hg uptake kinetics Elemental Mercury Removal Hg uptake H 2SO bulk H 2SO phase AC pore volume