Influence of Acid Additive on Nanoporous Carbon Materials via HTC for Catalyst Support

Abstract

Nanoporous carbon materials were successfully synthesized via hydrothermal carbonization with acid additives. In this study the effect of hydrothermal temperature (160-200 °C), hydrothermal time (4-24 h) and influence of acid additive (HCl, HNO3, H2SO4 and H3PO4) have been chosen in order to improve the surface structure. The samples have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen sorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The experimental results revealed that hydrothermal carbonization process and acid addition have effect on the properties of catalyst support. The results indicated that hydrothermal process at 200°C for 12 h and activation with H3PO4 at 900 °C for 2 h, exhibited the highest surface area, porosity and pore volume leading to increased distribution of metal on the carbon support.