Preparation of bowl-like and eggshell-like hollow carbon microspheres from potato starch

Hollow carbon microspheres (HCS) were prepared from potato starch by ZnCl2 activation. The morphology and surface areas of the HCS were studied by scanning electron microscopy and N-2 adsorption method, respectively. The results show that the HCS with bowl-like and eggshell-like structures are microporous materials. The preparation mechanism of the HCS was investigated by X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. The results indicate that basic zinc chloride formed during impregnation decomposes into ZnO. HCl and H2O. ZnO and HCI play an important role in the preparation of the HCS. Moreover, removal of ZnO grains by HCI washing contributes to the total surface areas of the HCS. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.