Preparation and characterization of mesoporous carbons using a Turkish natural zeolitic template/furfuryl alcohol system

The template carbonization method was utilized for the production of mesoporous carbons using a Turkish natural zeolite as a template. The major carbon precursor used was furfuryl alcohol. Furfuryl alcohol was polymerized and carbonized between 700 °C and 1000 °C in the channels of the natural zeolite. The structure of the zeolite template and carbons were investigated by surface analysis techniques, scanning electron microscopy, 13C NMR and FTIR spectrometry, and powder X-ray diffraction. At the micrometer level, the carbon material templated with the natural zeolite had the same morphology as the zeolite. The porous carbon samples contained 91–99% C and minor amounts of oxygen. While the surface area of the carbon produced without templation was only 18 m2/g, the surface area of the carbons produced within the template was found to be in the range of 400–800 m2/g. Average pore diameter of the porous carbons was measured as ca. 5–10 nm, demonstrating presence of mesoporous framework in the carbons. The 13C NMR and FTIR spectra revealed that the carbons produced in the carbonization range of 700–1000 °C contained some hydrogen and oxygen containing functional groups. The XRD results put forward indications to the presence of turbostratic structures and preservation of the structural regularity of the zeolite over extended distances in the carbons.