Post-synthesis modifications of SBA-15 carbon replicas: Improving hydrogen storage by increasing microporous volume

SBA-15 carbon replicas were synthesized with a sucrose solution as carbon source, carrying out carbonization at two different temperatures (800 and 1000 °C). Carbon pyrolised at 800 °C showed higher BET surface area and was chosen for further post-synthesis activation treatments (physical via CO2 or chemical via KOH), with the aim of improving hydrogen adsorption capacity. For comparison, an amorphous carbon was also synthesized, by direct carbonization of the carbon source, without any inorganic template: on this material a chemical activation was also performed. H2 adsorption isotherms at the temperature of liquid nitrogen and sub-atmospheric pressure were measured. A linear correlation was found between hydrogen uptake and microporous volume of the different carbons, rather than with BET specific surface area. Surprisingly, the sample prepared in the absence of inorganic template resulted the most effective one.