Hydrotalcite-like structures as molecular containers for preparation of microporous carbons

Microporous carbons have been prepared by thermal treatment of poly (4-styrenesulfonate) derivative of MgAl hydrotalcites and subsequently the carbons extracted from the matrix. The interlayer carbonization process and the characteristics of the carbonaceous materials were studied by X-ray diffraction, inverse gas chromatography at infinite dilution (IGC), diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy (DRIFT), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and nitrogen and methane adsorption measurements. The structural and surface properties of the template carbons were compared to carbon prepared from the same organic precursor using a conventional carbonization method. It was found that carbonization between the layers of hydrotalcite leads to a formation of highly microporous carbons without additional activation processes.