Synthesis of activated carbon foams with high specific surface area using polyurethane elastomer templates for effective removal of methylene blue

Carbon foams have gained significant attention due to their tuneable properties that enable a wide range of applications including catalysis, energy storage and wastewater treatment. Novel synthesis pathways novel via yielding complex, hierarchical material structure. In this work, activated carbon (ACFs) were produced from waste polyurethane elastomer templates using different pathways, one-step method. Uniquely, the exhibited complex structure contained microspheres. The ACFs synthesized by impregnating elastomers in an acidified sucrose solution followed direct activation CO2 at 1000 ℃. Different pyrolysis conditions investigated. characterized high specific surface area (SBET) 2172 m2/g enhanced pore volume 1.08 cm3/g. Computer tomography morphological studies revealed inhomogeneous porous presence numerous spheres varying sizes embedded network three-dimensional foam. X-ray diffraction (XRD) Raman spectroscopy indicated obtained foam was amorphous turbostratic Moreover, process foam, making it more hydrophilic altering size distribution introducing oxygen functional groups. equilibrium, adsorption methylene blue on ACF Langmuir isotherm model with maximum capacity 592 mg/g. Based these results, potential as adsorbents, catalyst support electrode systems.