Activated C was prepd. by pyrolysis of willow (Salix spp.) wood after chem. activation with ZnCl(2) or H(3)PO(4)(0.5-2 g/g). The carbonization was carried out under N(2) (30 dm(3)/h) at 500 degrees C for 1 h. The activated C showed high pore vol. (0.7-1.4 cm(3)/g) and sp. surface area (1400-2640 m(2)/g) as detd. by sorption of PhH and CO(2) at 25 degrees C. At the low impregnation ratio, the activated C had a microporous structure. At high impregnation rate, the heterogeneous pore size distribution was obsd. The use of ZnCl(2) resulted in widening the micropores and developing the small mesopores, while the use of H(3)PO(4) resulted mainly in developing and widening the mesopores.