Superacid Mesoporous Carbons Based on Sulfated Zr.

Abstract

In this brief communication we report the successful preparation of a promising material with acidic properties from starch-derived mesoporous carbon (SMC), functionalized with sulfated zirconia. The process of assembling P123, starch, zirconia and silicon produces ordered mesoporous carbon modified with Zr. Reaction time and temperature are essential to avoid the appearance of poorly assembled or unsightly structures, reducing the surface area and the size of the pores. Zr-SMC has a surface area of approximately 1300 m2 g -1 , and the total pore volume of 0.94 cm3 g -1 , composed mainly of mesopores with an average pore size of 3.5 nm. The composition of the surface and the chemical states of the elements did not reveal ZrO2 as isolated clusters. Through the thermodesorption of the pre adsorbed ammonia in the sulfated Zr-SMC, the total ammonia retained is 1.80 mmol / g at high temperature, exhibiting medium to strong acidity.