**Nanoporous Carbon Synthesis: An Old Story with Exciting New Chapters Exciting New Chapters**

**Nanoporous Carbon Synthesis: An Old Story with** 

DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.72476

Ana S. Mestre and Ana P. Carvalho Ana S. Mestre and Ana P. Carvalho Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.72476

#### **Abstract**

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2013;**49**(51):5760-5762. DOI: 10.1039/c3cc41913d

36 Porosity - Process, Technologies and Applications

Activated carbons are key materials in technological applications of multidisciplinary fields (e.g. adsorption, separation, and catalytic processes). The extensive use of these materials results from the combination of a well-developed pore network (micropores or micro + mesopores) along with the presence of heteroatoms (e.g. oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur). The large scale production of nanoporous carbons is a well-established process since the first patents date from the beginning of the twentieth century. Conventional activation methodologies are divided between physical, using steam or CO<sup>2</sup> , and chemical, being KOH, ZnCl<sup>2</sup> , and H<sup>3</sup> PO<sup>4</sup> the most commonly reported oxidizing agents. Due to the panoply of operational parameters that can be changed or added in the production of activated carbons, there is still room for R&D. In this chapter, both conventional and innovative synthetic processes are reviewed to offer an up-to-date picture regarding raw materials, carbonization step, activation process, and other approaches. Conventional activation of gels and chars obtained by novel approaches (i.e. sol-gel method, hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), and acid-mediated carbonization) and more innovative strategies (i.e. variations of HTC process, carbonization of organic salts and ionothermal approaches) are addressed. Textural, surface chemistry and morphological properties of the derived porous carbons were reviewed and critically rationalized.

**Keywords:** nanoporous carbon materials, carbon precursors, conventional synthesis, innovative synthesis, pore size distribution, heteroatom doping, morphology
