A comprehensive parametric study of factors that influence synthesis of high-quality ZTC using Ca2+ exchanged zeolite Y as the template

We achieved the synthesis of an ordered 3D microporous graphene architecture via chemical vapor deposition using the faujasite type zeolite as the template, i.e., “zeolite templated carbon” (ZTC). We found that implanting Ca2+ in this zeolite effectively catalyzed the growth of ZTC and greatly lowered the growth temperature. To further improve the ZTC, we investigated the influence of various synthetic parameters on its growth: Ca2+ amount, growth temperature, growth time, growth pressure, stabilization temperature and stabilization time, and describe these in detail. High-quality ZTC samples having regions of what are likely continuous single-layer carbon structures composed of trivalently bonded carbon were grown and characterized. This effective and practical synthetic method should benefit synthesis of other ZTCs and the evaluation and exploration of the structural characterization and application of ZTCs.