Gelatin-based carbon microspheres with a foam-like core/solid shell structure

A simple chemical approach is described for the synthesis of gelatin-based carbon microspheres with a foam-like core/solid shell structure without using any pore producing or templating agent. SEM, EDS, TGA, DSC, XRD and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize the precursor gelatin microspheres and the carbon microspheres produced from them. The sulfuric acid treatment and the treating temperature are found to be the key factors in forming the core-shell structure, and the carbon microspheres are amorphous. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.