Wastewater treatment activated carbon is available in black powdered, blocky, granular, or honeycomb-shaped amorphous carbon, as well as regular crystalline carbon. Besides carbon, wastewater treatment activated carbon also contains two additives: one is chemically bonded elements, primarily oxygen and hydrogen, which remain in the carbon due to incomplete carbonization or bind with the activated carbon surface during the activation process through chemical bonds; the other is ash, which is the inorganic part of wastewater treatment activated carbon. Ash in activated carbon can easily cause secondary pollution. Activated carbon is widely used in production and daily life due to its strong adsorption properties.

Wastewater treatment activated carbon material is an amorphous carbon obtained through processing. It boasts a large specific surface area and excellent adsorption capabilities for inorganic or organic substances, colloidal particles in gases and solutions. The main types of wastewater treatment activated carbon materials include activated carbon and activated carbon fiber. As an excellent adsorbent, wastewater treatment activated carbon is primarily determined by its unique adsorption surface structure and chemical properties. This activated carbon is chemically stable, has high mechanical strength, is resistant to acids, alkalis, and heat, and is insoluble in water and organic solvents, making it recyclable. It is widely used in industries such as chemicals, environmental protection, food processing, metallurgy, and refining. Currently, wastewater treatment activated carbon is extensively employed in wastewater treatment and air pollution control, demonstrating increasingly promising prospects in environmental pollution management.

The main raw material for wastewater treatment activated carbon can almost be any carbon-rich organic material, such as coal, wood, fruit shells, coconut shells, walnut shells, apricot shells, jujube shells, etc. These carbon-containing materials are converted into activated carbon through an activation furnace. They are pyrolyzed under high temperature and certain pressure. During this activation process, a vast specific surface area and complex pore structure gradually form, where the adsorption process occurs within and on the surfaces of these pores.

Wastewater treatment activated carbon has a selective adsorption effect on the adsorbate due to the fact that macromolecules smaller than its pore size cannot enter the activated carbon. Water purification activated carbon is a hydrophobic adsorbent made from carbon-based materials, which is carbonized and activated at high temperatures. Wastewater treatment activated carbon contains a large number of micropores and a vast surface area, effectively removing colors and odors. It can remove most organic pollutants and some inorganic substances from the secondary effluent, including certain toxic heavy metals.