CORE TECHNOLOGY 01
Activated Carbon Fiber
ACF
An adsorbent with nano-sized pores formed on the surface of carbon fiber. Because it is a fiber, it can be made into sheets, felts and pads, so the shape and thickness of a filter can be designed freely.
01 · WHAT IS ACF
Nano-sized pores open
on the fiber surface
Activated carbon fiber is an adsorbent made by activating carbon fiber so that nano-sized pores form on its surface. Gas molecules are captured in these pores and removed from the air.
Because the pores are open near the fiber surface, adsorption follows a different path from granular activated carbon, where gas has to travel deep into each granule.
Being a fiber, it can be made into sheets, felts and pads. That is why the thickness, area and layer structure of a filter can be designed for each use.
INFOGRAPHIC 02
- 1Activated carbon fiber Fine fibers gather to form felts and sheets
- 2Micropores Nano-sized pores are open near the fiber surface
- 3Gas molecules in the air captured in a micropore
A simplified concept diagram to make the structure easy to understand.
02 · ACF vs GAC
How it differs from granular activated carbon
Both are activated carbon, but their forms differ, and so do the paths along which adsorption happens and the ways they are made into filters.
INFOGRAPHIC 03
Granular activated carbon (GAC)Gas has to travel from the granule surface to micropores deep inside.
Activated carbon fiber (ACF)Micropores are open near the fiber surface, so gas travels only a short distance.
- Gas molecule
- Gas molecule captured in a micropore
- Channel leading to micropores
A simplified concept diagram of general differences by material form.
| Granular activated carbon (GAC) | Activated carbon fiber (ACF) | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Granules (particles) | Fiber (sheet · felt · pad) |
| Where the pores are | Extending into the particle | Open near the fiber surface |
| Adsorption path | Diffusion deep into the particle | Adsorption near the surface |
| Making a filter | Packed into a container | Thickness, area and layers designed freely |
A general comparison of properties by material form. Product performance is given on the basis of test reports.
03 · PROCESS
How activated carbon fiber is made
The technology transferred from KICET is a method of making activated carbon fiber from isotropic pitch. Pitch-based activated carbon fiber generally goes through the four steps below.
INFOGRAPHIC 04
- Raw materialIsotropic pitch
- 01SpinningMolten pitch is drawn into fine filaments to form fibers
- 02StabilizationOxidized in air to fix the shape so the fiber does not melt when heated
- 03CarbonizationConverted into carbon fiber in a high-temperature atmosphere without oxygen
- 04ActivationNano-sized pores are formed on the surface with steam or similar agents
- Activated carbon fiberMade into sheets · felts · pads
A concept diagram of the general process for pitch-based activated carbon fiber. Detailed conditions are not disclosed.
04 · VERIFIED DATA
Specific surface area
confirmed by a test report
The specific surface area of an adsorbent is the area of pore surface spread out within one gram. The larger it is, the more places there are for gas to attach.
Korea Testing Laboratory (KTL) test report No. 25-085350-01-1 (issued 22 January 2026) · Requested by the affiliate K-Space Solution · On-site test results using a test method proposed by the requester, not related to KOLAS accreditation. Item names and test conditions are English translations of the Korean report, and the Korean original prevails.