Chemisorption of Oxygen by Charcoal on Treatment with Some Mild Oxidising Agents

Treatment of charcoal with aqueous solutions of potassium persulphate, potassium bromate, potassium periodate, and potassium nitrate results in chemisorption of an appreciable amount of oxygen, more in original than in degassed samples, leading to the formation of CO₂-complex, which is completely titratable against alkalies in original, but not so in degassed charcoals. The CO-complex and chemisorbed hydrogen do not undergo any noticeable change as a result of any of the treatments.