The pharmaceutical and chemical industries demand the highest purity activated carbon for critical purification processes. Pharmaceutical-grade activated carbon must meet stringent compendial specifications (USP, BP, EP, JP) for heavy metals, acid-soluble substances, and microbial purity. Applications range from active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) purification to process water treatment and catalyst support.
Activated carbon removes colored impurities, process byproducts, endotoxins, and trace contaminants from pharmaceutical intermediates and final API products. Decolorization and purification are essential for meeting product specifications.
Recommended Products: Wood-Based Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) (USP/BP grade), Acid-Washed Carbon
Pharmaceutical manufacturing requires compendial water quality. Activated carbon serves as a pretreatment step before reverse osmosis and distillation, removing chlorine, chloramines, organic contaminants, and endotoxin precursors.
Recommended Products: Coconut Shell GAC (acid-washed), Acid-Washed Pelletized Carbon
Activated charcoal USP is used as an oral antidote for emergency treatment of poisoning and drug overdose. It adsorbs toxins in the gastrointestinal tract, preventing systemic absorption.
Recommended Products: Powdered Activated Carbon (USP grade)
Activated carbon purifies vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, and nutritional supplements during manufacturing, removing color bodies and impurities.
Recommended Products: Wood-Based PAC, Acid-Washed Carbon
High-surface-area activated carbon serves as a support material for precious metal catalysts (platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium) used in hydrogenation, oxidation, and coupling reactions.
Recommended Products: Extruded Pelletized Carbon, High-Purity Coconut Shell Carbon
Ultra-pure activated carbon with specialized coatings is used in hemoperfusion cartridges for extracorporeal blood purification in treating poisoning, sepsis, and certain chronic conditions.
Recommended Products: Medical-Grade Coconut Shell Carbon (coated)
Parameter |
Unit |
Powdered Carbon (USP) |
Acid-Washed GAC |
Catalyst Support Carbon |
Test Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Iodine Number
|
mg/g
|
900 – 1,050
|
950 – 1,150
|
1,000 – 1,200
|
ASTM D4607
|
Methylene Blue Adsorption
|
mg/g
|
130 – 180
|
150 – 210
|
180 – 250
|
ASTM D2330
|
Heavy Metals (as Pb)
|
ppm
|
< 10
|
< 5
|
< 5
|
USP {231}
|
Moisture Content
|
%
|
< 5
|
< 2
|
< 2
|
ASTM D2867
|
Ash Content
|
%
|
< 3
|
< 1
|
< 1
|
ASTM D2866
|
Acid-Soluble Iron
|
ppm
|
< 200
|
< 50
|
< 25
|
USP {231}
|
Particle Size
|
mesh / µm
|
325 mesh (44 µm)
|
12×40, 8×30
|
Pellets 2-4mm
|
ASTM D2862
|
Water-Soluble Substances
|
%
|
< 0.5
|
< 0.2
|
< 0.1
|
USP
|
Surface Area (BET)
|
m²/g
|
800 – 1,000
|
950 – 1,150
|
1,000 – 1,300
|
ASTM D6556
|
pH Value
|
—
|
5 – 8
|
6 – 8
|
6 – 8
|
ASTM D3838
|
Microbial Limits
|
CFU/g
|
< 1,000
|
< 500
|
< 100
|
USP {61}
|
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