Synthesis of highly graphitic mesoporous carbon using Ni–Fe double-layered hydroxide as both template and catalyst precursor

A graphitic mesoporous carbon was prepared using sucrose as carbon precursor and Ni–Fe (Ni/Fe = 2) double-layered hydroxide (DLH) as template and catalyst precursor by a solid-phase method. The material was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Results indicated that the graphitic mesoporous carbon has a uniform mesopore size and a high degree of graphitization. The mesoporous structure of the carbon is generated by templating from the mesoporous DLH. The catalytic metallic Ni was formed by reduction of Ni ions in the pore walls of the DLH with carbon during carbonization, and this caused graphitized carbon to be formed at a quite low temperature of 900 °C.