One-step solvothermal carbonization to microporous carbon materials derived from cyclodextrins

A series of cyclodextrin-based microporous carbon materials were synthesized through a facile one-step solvothermal carbonization process. The results of Fourier transform infrared and solid-state 13C CP/MAS nuclear magnetic resonance studies show that the obtained carbon materials contain a large amount of oxygen-containing functional groups, such as hydroxyl, carbonyl, and carboxyl groups. Spheres can be observed in the scanning electron microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy images. These kinds of carbon materials possess Brunauer–Emmet–Teller specific surface area data ranging from 600 to 700 m2 g−1, which are much higher values than those of carbon materials obtained from hydrothermal carbonization processes. Furthermore, these materials show moderate sorption capabilities for hydrogen (up to 1.07 wt%, 77 K and 1.0 bar) and carbon dioxide (up to 12.7 wt%, 273 K and 1.0 bar). The excellent characteristic of these materials make them promising candidates for gas storage.