Activated carbon is a highly porous carbon with an exceptionally large internal surface area, which is created by a widely branched network of micro-, meso- and macropores. This pore structure enables a particularly high adsorption capacity for gases, vapors and dissolved substances. The production of activated carbon from non-porous, carbonaceous starting materials is known as Activation In this process, raw materials such as wood, coal or coconut shells are activated by treatment with steam or carbon dioxide at high temperatures of 700–900 °C. This removes undesirable components such as tar or volatile substances and creates pores of different sizes in the carbon.

The structure of the remaining carbon framework is significantly influenced by the selected starting material. This structure determines both the distribution of pore sizes - from microscopically small pores for molecules to larger cavities - and the mechanical properties of the activated carbon, such as hardness and abrasion resistance. The use of particularly hard raw materials, such as coconut shells, leads to an activated carbon with exceptional stability and durability, which is particularly suitable for applications with high mechanical stress.

Due to the above-mentioned properties, activated carbon is suitable not only as an adsorbate but also due to its high specific surface area (BETmethod) as a carrier material for precious metal catalysts. For example, platinum and palladium applied to activated carbon are used for the hydrogenation of unsaturated hydrocarbons.