| abstract |
This invention provides an activated carbon which exhibits a high catalytic activity as an oxidation catalyst or a decomposition catalyst, and its use. The activated carbon of this invention contains (a) 1.40 to 4.30 mass% oxygen, (b) 0.90 to 2.30 mass% nitrogen, (c) 0.50 to 1.20 mass% sulfur, and (d) 0.40 to 0.65 mass% water. The activated carbon may have at least one of the characteristics of (e) 0.10 to 0.36meq/g acidic surface functional group, (f) 0.50 to 1.30 meq/g basic surface functional group, and (g) 25 to 50% benzene adsorbing function. The activated carbon catalyzes the reaction of oxidizing N-phosphonomethylimino diacetic acid with a peroxide (such as a hydrogen peroxide), and efficiently produces N-phosphonomethylglycine even with repeated use. Moreover, the activated carbon efficiently decomposes chloramines. |