Fungi-Enabled Synthesis of Ultrahigh-Surface-Area Porous Carbon

The growth of white-rot fungi is related to the superior infiltrability and biodegradability of hyphae on a lignocellulosic substrate. The superior biodegradability of fungi toward plant substrates affords tailored microstructures, which benefits subsequently high efficient carbonization and chemical activation. Here, the mechanism underlying the direct growth of mushrooms toward the lignocellulosic substrate is elucidated and a fungi-enabled method for the preparation of porous carbons with ultrahigh specific surface area (3439 m(2) g(-1)) is developed. Such porous carbons could have potential applications in energy storage, environment treatment, and electrocatalysis. The present study reveals a novel pore formation mechanism in root-colonizing fungi and anticipates a valuable function for fungi in developing the useful porous carbons with a high specific surface area.