Micro-FTIR and micro-raman studies of a carbon film prepared from furfuryl alcohol polymerization

The synthesis of a carbon film by the acid-catalyzed polymerization and resinification of furfuryl alcohol with a diluted solution of HCl is studied by combining micro-FTIR and micro-Raman spectroscopies. The detailed study of the evolution of spectra as a function of dosage of furfuryl alcohol and temperature shows that neutral and protonated species are formed at 80 °C, while upon gradually increasing the temperature up to 600 °C, the viscous polyfurfuryl alcohol resin is transformed into a carbon phase, containing a heterogeneous distribution of pores, with a size in the 100-2000 nm range, as shown by SEM and AFM analyses.