In this paper a novel way was developed to prepare activated carbon fibers from phenol liquefied poplar
bark (ACFs-WB) with direct activation method named “one step method”. Liquefied product was
spun, stabilized and finally steam-activated immediately as target temperature of activation reached.
Surface morphologies and pore structure characteristics were investigated by means of SEM and low
temperature nitrogen adsorption. The results showed that micropore development was dominated
in ACFs-WB. Also, micropore size distribution in diameter was mainly concentrated in the range of
0.4–0.8 nm. A particularly interesting feature on pore structure was observed at activation temperature of
900 1C, which micropore volume and specific surface area approximately dupled though fiber morphologies
in diameter were similar. The results suggested that micropores development occurred intensely and
mainly depended on communications or ruptures of intrawalls at activation temperature of 900 1C.