Synthesis and characterization of mesoporous carbons using natural zeolite as a template

The novel approach of template carbonization method has been used in this study for the production of mesoporous carbons templated from a Turkish natural zeolite. The effect of different templating mixtures and different carbonization temperatures were studied. The carbon precursor was furfuryl alcohol, FA. The structures of the carbons were compared using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, 13C CPMAS NMR, FTIR and surface analysis methods. FA was polymerized and carbonized at 700°C, 800°C, 900°C and 1000°C in the channels of natural zeolite. The d002 values, stacking heights of graphene sheets, Lc, lateral size, La, number of graphene sheets per stack of resultant carbons were calculated from Debye-Scherer equation. Carbon content was detected by EDS is up to 100 %. By using sol-gel method, 804 m2/g BET surface area was obtained. The d002 value of porous carbon obtained at 700°C, was 0.358 nm, larger than graphite. In 13C NMR, sp, sp2 and sp3 hybridized carbons were observed. Pore diameters were between 11 nm, indicating the mesoporosity.