Porous graphitic carbons prepared by combining chemical activation with catalytic graphitization

Porous graphitic carbons were prepared by combining chemical activation (ZnCl2) with catalytic graphitization (metal Fe and Ni). The activating agent ZnCl2 increased the surface area of porous carbon, and the catalyst (Fe, Ni) accelerated the graphitization. With increasing heat treatment temperature (600–900 °C), metal Fe and Ni promoted the degree of graphitization which was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The surface area of samples prepared using Fe and Ni catalysts varied from 275 to 787 m2 g−1 and from 83 to 121 m2 g−1, respectively.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights► A new pathway to prepare porous graphitic carbons is proposed by combining chemical activation (ZnCl2) with catalytic graphitization (metal Fe and Ni). ► The surface area and the ratio of Smes/SBET of porous graphitic carbons might be adjusted.