Importance of small micropores in CO2 capture by phenolic resin-based activated carbon spheres

Phenolic resin-based carbon spheres obtained by a slightly modified Stober method are shown to be superior CO2 adsorbents. A direct KOH activation of polymeric spheres gave carbons with small micropores (<0.8 nm) and large specific surface area (2400 m(2) g(-1)), which are able to adsorb an unprecedented amount of CO2 (up to 8.9 mmol g(-1)) at 0 degrees C and ambient pressure.