Characteristics of activated carbons modulate the catalytic performance for acetylene hydrochlorination.

[Display omitted] • Catalytic performance of activated carbons prepared from different precursors were evaluated for acetylene hydrochlorination. • The relationships between catalytic activity and typical feature of ACs were disclosed. • The superior activity of ACs attributed to higher conductivity, lower graphitization, higher adsorption of reactants but less acidic sites. A number of commercial activated carbons (ACs) produced from different sources including pitch, coal, coconut and wood were evaluated as the catalyst for the hydrochlorination reaction of acetylene. To disclose the structure-activity relationship, a series of characterizations were performed including texture, porosity, surface graphitization, conductivity, surface functional groups, surface adsorption properties and surface acidic sites distribution for these ACs. The results illustrate that the higher catalytic activity of ACs is attributed to higher conductivity, lower graphitization, less surface strong acidic sites and higher adsorption ability to reactants. This work would shed light on the rational design of carbon-based catalysts and their potential application in acetylene hydrochlorination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]