Dual functions of ferrous sulfate as a pore-size controller and a carbon-yield enhancer in fabricating cellulose based porous carbons

This study reports the dual-functions of ferrous sulfate, i.e. as a carbon-yield-enhancer and as a pore-size-controller, in the preparation of porous carbons from rice straws. Through the impregnation of rice straws with 0.5 M aq. FeSO₄, the carbon yield of the resultant porous carbons increased by ca. 10% and the size of the newly created pores was precisely controlled at the diameter of 0.53 nm during carbonization process. The observed results were discussed from the view points of the thermal degradation mechanism of cellulose and the pillar effects by the in-situ formed crystallites of Fe₃O₄. The inherent magnetic property due to the presence of magnetite, Fe₃O₄, was an additional merit of the obtained porous carbons.