Alumina goes through changes of crystallisation form starting with γ alumina at about 600☌ up to γ alumina at 1200☌. Steam activated carbon remains stable up to far above the activation temperature of about 900☌. Activated carbons can be applied at high temperature in an inert atmosphere because they do not deform even at high temperatures. Because of this activated carbons are often applied in reactions in aggressive liquids. Stability In contrast to oxide carriers activated carbons are resistant against attacking in acid and basic solutions. Steam activated carbons are more inert than chemical activated carbons. Because of the inertness activated carbon hardly shows activity as acid catalyst and does not decompose hydrocarbons resulting in carbon deposition on the metals and causing poisoning of the catalyst. Thus the qualities of the metals are less influenced by the activated carbon as carrier than by other carriers.

The interaction between carrier and active phase (most times noble metals) is small. Some of the characteristics are an advantage in one application and a disadvantage in another application. Reimerink, in Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis, 1999 5 ACTIVATED CARBONS COMPARED TO OTHER CARRIERS AND CATALYSTSĪctivated carbons have a number of advantages and disadvantages compared to other carriers.