The surface properties of activated carbon modified by acids and base were studied. The influence of the surface chemistry on the adsorption of benzene and acetone vapor on modified activated carbons has been investigated The modified activated carbons were obtained by treatment with acetic acid ($CH_3COOH$), nitric acid ($HNO_3$) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The modified activated carbons had similar porosity but different surface chemistry and adsorption characteristics. The total surface acidity (sum of functional groups) of activated carbon (AC-AN) treated by nitric acid was 2.6 times larger than that of activated carbon (AC) before the acid treatment. Especially, carboxyl group was much developed by nitric acid treatment. The benzene equilibrium adsorption capacity of AC-AN decreased 20% more than that of AC. However, the acetone equilibrium adsorption capacity of AC-AN increased 20% more than that of AC because of the large increase of carboxyl group and acidity.