Micro porous carbon spheres from cyclodextrin nanosponges

A series of carbons were prepared by pyrolysis of hyper cross-linked cyclodextrins, also known as nanosponges (NS). Pore structure analysis showed that pores with a range size of 5–16 A can be created from β-CD an NS cross-linked with pyromellitic dianhydride (PY). NS cross-linked with hexamethylene diisocyanate (HD) was ineffective to produce pores. SEM observation reveals a peculiar morphology of the PY-NS carbon, made of perfectly spherical hollow particles. TGA and FT-IR studies demonstrate that the PY-NS is the more efficient carbon precursor.