Synthesis of nanoporous carbon: An in situ template approach

A new approach for synthesis of nanoporous carbon is reported. This approach involves: (1) synthesis of the template of iron nanoparticles in situ with formation of carbon by thermal pyrolysis of Fe(CO)5 and C2H2, and (2) removal of the template by air oxidization and acid treatment. The obtained nanoporous carbon had a high specific surface area of 729 m2/g and pore sizes of 1–10 nm. The present template approach is simpler than previous ones involving separate preparation of template materials.