Influence of (activated) charcoal on water's pH

Does immersing (a) charcoal / (b) activated charcoal (both clean, no ash) into distillate water influences water's pH? If yes - in which direction - acidic or alkaline?


If there is an influence - is this influence reduced with each new immersion into new water (i.e. charcoal gets rinsed)?




As far as I know, pH will not be affected.


Carbon is not soluble in water and does not react with it under normal conditions. Hence why carbon can be used for filtration systems. Activated carbon is chemically the same.


And activated carbon that you buy is very unlikely to be contaminated with acids.


Method of production does not matter. Though I'm not sure that vinegar would make activated carbon. If the "activated" carbon is still wet with vinegar, then obviously pH will decrease.


Hopefully that answers your question.


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Active charcoal/carbon alone is indifferent with respect to water $\mathrm{pH}$.


But what may matter is what has been adsorbed on the active surface and can be released to water, or adsorbed from water (ammonia, acetic acid, carbon dioxide etc).


$\mathrm{pH}$ of pure destilled water is very unstable, affected by dissolved impurities from solid surfaces or air. The major factor is aerial $\ce{CO2}$ forming equilibrium $\mathrm{pH} \approx 5.6$, making water slightly acidic. These effects may overrule the effect the active charcoal.


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