The surface properties and adsorption rates of activated carbon modified with acid and base were compared. The distribution ratio of C and C-H on the surface of activated carbon were decreased by modification with acid and base, but the distribution ratio of C-O, C=O, and O=C-O were increased. Base modification damaged the surface of activated carbon more than acid modification, it caused the effect of 6 percent increments of surface area. Adsorption rate model was more suitable to second order equation than first order equation. Adsorption rate was controlled by adsorption in pore better than in surface.