Preparation of mesoporous high-surface-area activated carbon

A simple, cost effective method for producing carbons with high mesopore co ntent is presented. The effect of the ratio of activating agent (ZnCl2) to carbon precursor (coconut shell) on pore size is investigated as is the nit rogen adsorption isotherm of these carbonaceous materials at 77 K. The meso porosity is substantiated by the absorption capacity for phenol, methylene blue, and erythrosine red. Mesoporous high-surface-area activated carbons. which up to now have proved difficult to prepare, have applications as cata lytic, battery electrode, capacitor, gas storage, and biomedical engineerin g materials.