The purpose of this work was to study the effect of chemical surface properties of activated carbons for their use in water purification. To achieve this objective, activated carbon in both granular and powdered forms namely: as received and devolatilized carbons were prepared. Proximate analysis of the carbon materials was performed. Mass titration experiments were carried out to determine the point of zero charge of the activated carbon materials. Again, using an ultraviolet spectrophotometer, the adsorption of phenol on as-received and devolatilized activated carbon was investigated. Adsorption isotherms were acquired from which the monolayer adsorption capacities were calculated.