Preparation and Microstructure Analysis of TiC-Derived Carbons with Hierarchical Pore Structure

Carbide-derived carbons (CDCs) with hierarchical pore structure are prepared from commercial TiC powders by chlorination at temperature range of 600–1100°C. As-synthesized CDCs mainly consist of amorphous carbon and there exists a graphitization trend at chlorinating temperature above 800°C. If chlorinating temperature is below 1000°C, CDC particles maintain the shape of original TiC particles. Above 1000°C, obvious cracks appear in CDC particles and some particles are broken into small parts. The specific surface area (SSA) of CDCs is in the range from 672 m2/g to 1609 m2/g. The highest SSA is 1609 m2/g for CDC chlorinated at 1000°C. Most pores in these CDCs are micropores with the size of 0.7–2 nm. However, some mesopores and macropores also exist.