Preparation of Activated Carbons From ZIF‐8 Using Cellulose Acetate as an Additional Carbon Source

ABSTRACT Zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) was synthesized and used together with cellulose acetate (CA) as an extra source of carbon for the synthesis of activated carbons (ACs). Three different routes were employed to prepare the pre‐carbonization mixture. ZIF‐8 and each pre‐carbonization mixture were carbonized and activated separately using potassium hydroxide. All prepared samples were characterized using a range of techniques and CO 2 uptake was measured at 298 K and 1 bar. The results showed the feasibility of producing highly porous nitrogen‐containing AC adsorbents through the utilization of ZIF‐8 with CA as an additional carbon source. The ACs were non‐graphitic in nature and high microporosity (up to 1120 m 2 g −1 ; 0.46 cm 3 g −1 ) and specific surface area (up to 1490 m 2 g −1 ) were obtained. The highest microporosity was achieved for the AC synthesized using the pre‐carbonization mixture prepared via a hydrothermal route. Meanwhile, the largest surface area was exhibited by the AC synthesized using the pre‐carbonization mixture prepared via physical mixing. These two AC materials displayed the highest CO 2 adsorption capacities of 3.21 and 3.29 mmol g −1 , respectively, at 298 K and 1 bar. This work demonstrates the successful preparation of ACs from ZIF‐8 with CA and shows that these ACs are promising adsorbents for CO 2 .