Evolution of microtexture in furan resin-derived carbon with heat-treatment Original Research Article

Microtextural evolution in furan resin-derived carbon was investigated. The evolution was mainly studied from the viewpoint of the change in microtexture of surface and internal pores with heat-treatment and was characterized by observation with a scanning electron microscope, measurement of the BET surface area, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Microporous layers, about 60 μm thick, were formed on the surface during carbonization at 1000 °C when furan resin was polymerized in ambient air. The layer partially changed into graphite with a small surface area after heat-treatment at 2600 °C, the inside remaining amorphous. The microporous layer was easily rearranged to form a graphite layer, compared to the inside. The carbons that existed in the internal closed pore during heat-treatment at 1000 °C changed into turbostratic carbon by heat-treatment at 2600 °C. The texture resulted from mass transport through gas phase during the heat-treatment.