Preparation and activation mechanism of mesocarbon microbeads by KOH activation

Mesocarbon microbeads (MCMBss) were activated by KOH and K2CO3 and were analyzed by X-ray diffraction,nitrogen adsorption and scanning electron microscopy. Results showed that the KOH activated MCMBss had a BET surface area of 2775 m2/g. They had an amorphous structure and graphite crystallites were destroyed by activation. The activation mechanism involves a series of chemical reactions and potassium intercalation.