Activated Carbon Water Purification Filter Prepared by Wet Molding with a Dual Polyelectrolyte Retention System

Bamboo-based activated carbon fibers were fabricated into paper- and cylinder-shaped composites using a simple wet molding technique combined with a dual polymer retention (DPR) system. The as-prepared activated carbon cylinders possessed high practical utility and were assessed for water purification purposes. They achieved the effective removal of colloidal organic contaminants in model tap water. In addition, calcium sulfite powder and carboxymethyl cellulose fiber were successfully embedded into the activated carbon cylinder. The resulting composite accomplished the efficient removal of residual hypochlorite compounds and lead ions. The simple wet-molding method combined with the DPR system is well suited to mass production, and the activated carbon cylinder is a promising material for future water purification systems. (Received 19 October, 2010; Accepted 11 January, 2011)