Synthesis and Characterization of Mesoporous Carbons Using Attapulgite Template

The template carbonization method was utilized for the production of mesoporous carbons using attapulgite as a template and sucrose as carbon precursor. Sucrose was polymerized and carbonized in the tubes of natural attapulgite using a sulfuric acid catalyst. The structure of the template and carbons were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and Nitrogen adsorption analysis techniques. At the micrometer level, the carbon material templated with the natural attapulgite had the similar morphology. Nitrogen adsorption analysis showed that the obtained porous carbons possess a wide pore size distribution and a large pore volume, especially in the range of mesopores.