Abstract: Activated carbon carriers were gasified with a gas flow of 5%O_(2)+N_(2) in the range of 385～425 ℃ and oxidized with concentrated HNO_(3) under controlled conditions. Characterization of the surface chemical functional groups by infrared spectroscopy and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) suggests that both the gasification and concentrated HNO_(3) oxidation could introduce oxygen atoms to the carbon surface and then increase its surface oxygen functional groups. Additionally, nitrogen adsorption isotherms at 77 K and the results from TPD indicate that the gasification increases the micropore volume and probably change the mesopore surface structure.