Synthesis and characterization of mesoporous and microporous carbons with potential applications as hydrogen storage media

Several mesoporous and microporous carbons have been obtained by a casting procedure, starting from a SBA-15 silica and a commercial Na-Y zeolite. XRD spectra showed that ordered carbon replicas occur in all cases. Micro-Raman spectra showed that rather homogeneous powders are obtained, exhibiting a consistent graphitized carbon phase along with an amorphous one, notwithstanding the relatively low temperature adopted during the carbonization processes (1173 K). N₂ adsorption isotherms at 77 K allowed the determination of BET surface areas and pore volumes: on account of the high porosity and the low specific weight, with respect to zeolites, for example, these carbon materials could be promising media for hydrogen storage. They could be used as such, or after convenient functionalization or metal doping.