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Porous Carbon Materials: Preparation and Application
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Porous Carbon Materials: Preparation and Application

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 2769

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Jianxiao Yang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
Interests: carbon fiber; porous carbon materials; adsorption; energy storage
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is devoted to publishing original research papers and comprehensive reviews about the latest developments in the preparation, characterization, and applications of porous carbon materials. Submissions related to any aspect of the chemistry and technology of porous carbon materials and relevant applications are encouraged. Examples on formation behaviors, structural evolution, the properties of porous carbon materials, and the applications of catalysis, coatings, electronics, sensors, energy storage, environmental science, medicine, nuclear materials, and structural materials are welcome in this Special Issue.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Activated carbon;
  • Activated carbon fibers;
  • Mesoporous carbon;
  • Carbon molecular sieves;
  • Porous graphite;
  • Other porous carbon materials and their applications;
  • Other new carbon materials and their applications.

Dr. Jianxiao Yang
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • porous carbon materials
  • energy storage
  • environmental science
  • sensors
  • adsorption
  • catalysis

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

29 pages, 2767 KiB  
Article
Closed-Loop Valorization of Annatto Seed Waste into Biochar: A Sustainable Platform for Phosphorus Adsorption and Safe Nutrient Recycling in Agro-Industries
by Diana Guaya, Camilo Piedra and Inmaculada Carmona
Molecules 2025, 30(13), 2842; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30132842 - 2 Jul 2025
Viewed by 359
Abstract
Valorizing agro-industrial waste into functional materials for environmental remediation and resource recovery is essential for advancing circular economy models. This study presents a novel closed-loop strategy to convert annatto (Bixa orellana) seed residues into biochar for phosphate recovery from aqueous solutions [...] Read more.
Valorizing agro-industrial waste into functional materials for environmental remediation and resource recovery is essential for advancing circular economy models. This study presents a novel closed-loop strategy to convert annatto (Bixa orellana) seed residues into biochar for phosphate recovery from aqueous solutions and real agro-industrial wastewater. A novel ternary modification with Fe, Zn, and Mn metals was applied to enhance the phosphate adsorption performance of the biochar. Materials were synthesized via pyrolysis at 600 °C and 700 °C, with ABC-M700 exhibiting the highest performance. Comprehensive characterization (FTIR, SEM–EDS, and XRF) confirmed the successful incorporation of metal (oxy)hydroxide functional groups, which facilitated phosphate binding. Adsorption studies revealed that ABC-M700 achieved a maximum phosphate removal capacity of 6.19 mg·g−1, representing a 955% increase compared to unmodified ABC-N700 (0.59 mg·g−1), and a 31% increase relative to ABC-M600 (4.73 mg·g−1). Physicochemical characterization indicated increased surface area, well-developed mesoporosity, and the formation of metal (oxy)hydroxide functionalities. ABC-M700 achieved a maximum adsorption capacity of 73.22 mg·g−1 and rapid kinetics, removing 95% of phosphate within 10 min and reaching equilibrium at 30 min. The material exhibited notable pH flexibility, with optimal performance in the range of pH 6–7. Performance evaluations using real wastewater from the same agro-industry confirmed its high selectivity, achieving 80% phosphate removal efficiency despite the presence of competing ions and organic matter. Phosphate fractionation revealed that 78% of adsorbed phosphate was retained in stable, metal-associated fractions. Although the material showed limited reusability, it holds potential for integration into nutrient recycling strategies as a slow-release fertilizer. These findings demonstrate a low-cost, waste-derived adsorbent with strong implications for circular economy applications and sustainable agro-industrial wastewater treatment. This study establishes a scalable model for agro-industries that not only reduces environmental impact but also addresses phosphorus scarcity and promotes resource-efficient waste management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Porous Carbon Materials: Preparation and Application)
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16 pages, 6936 KiB  
Article
A Green Synthesis of Controllable Shear-Assisted Catalytically Graphitized Biomass-Derived Carbon and Its Multi-Scale Reinforcement Mechanism in Natural Rubber
by Xingxin Xu, Chengjun Li, Xu Lin, Defa Hou, Yunwu Zheng, Fulin Yang, Hao Sun and Can Liu
Molecules 2025, 30(9), 1936; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30091936 - 27 Apr 2025
Viewed by 425
Abstract
Carbon black (CB) serves as the most crucial reinforcing filler in natural rubber (NR) applications. However, conventional CB production relies on petroleum or coal resources, raising concerns about non-renewability and unsustainable resource consumption. Although biomass-derived carbon materials have been explored as alternatives for [...] Read more.
Carbon black (CB) serves as the most crucial reinforcing filler in natural rubber (NR) applications. However, conventional CB production relies on petroleum or coal resources, raising concerns about non-renewability and unsustainable resource consumption. Although biomass-derived carbon materials have been explored as alternatives for natural rubber reinforcement, their practical application remains constrained by inherent limitations such as large particle size and low graphitic structure, which compromise reinforcement efficiency. This study presents a novel walnut shell biochar (WSB) for natural rubber enhancement. The biochar was prepared via conventional pyrolysis and subsequently subjected to an environmentally friendly physical ball-milling process. This treatment effectively increased graphitized domains while enriching surface functional groups. Systematic investigations were conducted on the effects of ball-milling duration and biochar loading on rubber reinforcement performance. Results demonstrate that the biochar-reinforced vulcanizates achieved a 22% improvement in tensile strength compared to unfilled rubber. Notably, at 10 phr loading, the tensile strength of biochar-filled vulcanizates reached 98% of that achieved by CB(N330)-filled counterparts. The study further revealed that biochar incorporation effectively reduced hysteresis loss and enhanced elastic recovery in rubber composites. This work proposes a facile method to develop sustainable biochar-based reinforcing agents with significant potential for natural rubber applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Porous Carbon Materials: Preparation and Application)
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19 pages, 5449 KiB  
Article
Three-Dimensional Porous Artemia Cyst Shell Biochar-Supported Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Efficient Removal of Chromium from Wastewater
by Yu Gao, Ying Liu, Xu Zhao, Xinchao Liu, Qina Sun and Tifeng Jiao
Molecules 2025, 30(8), 1743; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30081743 - 13 Apr 2025
Viewed by 537
Abstract
Chromium-containing wastewater poses severe threats to ecosystems and human health due to the high toxicity of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). Although iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) show promise for Cr(VI) removal, their practical application is hindered by challenges in recovery and reuse. Herein, a novel [...] Read more.
Chromium-containing wastewater poses severe threats to ecosystems and human health due to the high toxicity of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). Although iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) show promise for Cr(VI) removal, their practical application is hindered by challenges in recovery and reuse. Herein, a novel three-dimensional porous nanocomposite, Artemia cyst shell biochar-supported iron oxide nanoparticles (ACSC@ IONP), was synthesized via synchronous pyrolysis of Fe3+-impregnated Artemia cyst shells (ACSs) and in situ reduction of iron. The optimized composite C@Fe-3, prepared with 1 mol/L Fe3+ and pyrolyzed at 450 °C for 5 h, exhibited rapid removal equilibrium within 5–10 min for both Cr(VI) and total chromium (Cr(total)), attributed to synergistic reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) and adsorption of Cr(VI) and Cr(III). The maximum Cr(total) adsorption capacity was 110.1 mg/g at pH 2, as determined by the Sips isothermal model for heterogeneous adsorption. Competitive experiments demonstrated robust selectivity for Cr(VI) removal even under a 64-fold excess of competing anions, with an interference order of SO42− > NO3− > Cl−. Remarkably, C@Fe-3 retained 65% Cr(VI) removal efficiency after four adsorption–desorption cycles. This study provides a scalable and eco-friendly strategy for fabricating reusable adsorbents with dual functionality for chromium remediation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Porous Carbon Materials: Preparation and Application)
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16 pages, 6430 KiB  
Article
Self-Supporting Sn-Based Carbon Nanofiber Anodes for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries
by Jingjie Xie and Lan Xu
Molecules 2025, 30(8), 1740; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30081740 - 13 Apr 2025
Viewed by 550
Abstract
Due to its high theoretical specific capacity, abundant resources, accessibility and environmental friendliness, Sn has been considered as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) anodes. However, Sn anodes still face great challenges such as huge volume change and low conductivity. Herein, a [...] Read more.
Due to its high theoretical specific capacity, abundant resources, accessibility and environmental friendliness, Sn has been considered as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) anodes. However, Sn anodes still face great challenges such as huge volume change and low conductivity. Herein, a self-supporting Sn-based carbon nanofiber anode for high-performance LIBs was prepared. Sn-based nanoparticles with high theoretical specific capacity were uniformly embedded in carbon nanofibers, which not only mitigated the volume expansion of Sn-based nanoparticles, but also obtained composite carbon nanofibers with excellent mechanical properties by adjusting the ratio of polyacrylonitrile to polyvinylpyrrolidone, exhibiting excellent electrochemical performance. The obtained optimal self-supporting Sn-based carbon nanofiber anode (Sn-SnO2/CNF-2) showed a discharge specific capacity of 607.28 mAh/g after 100 cycles at a current density of 500 mA/g. Even after 200 cycles, Sn-SnO2/CNF-2 still maintained a capacity of 543.78 mAh/g and maintained its original fiber structure well, demonstrating its good long-term cycling stability. This indicated that the self-supporting Sn-SnO2/CNF-2 anode had great potential for advanced energy storage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Porous Carbon Materials: Preparation and Application)
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20 pages, 5139 KiB  
Article
Efficient Adsorption of Methylene Blue by Polyaminocarboxylated Modified Hydrochar Derived from Sugarcane Bagasse
by Xi Liu, Feng Zhou, Changrong Shi, Jerome Ramirez, Zhihua Liu, Fangxue Hang and Caifeng Xie
Molecules 2025, 30(7), 1536; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30071536 - 30 Mar 2025
Viewed by 538
Abstract
Sugarcane bagasse (SCB) was transformed into polyaminocarboxylated modified hydrochar (ACHC) by hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), which was then followed by activation, etherification, amination, and carboxylation successively. ACHC was systematically characterized, and batch adsorption studies were used to assess its methylene blue (MB) adsorption capacity. [...] Read more.
Sugarcane bagasse (SCB) was transformed into polyaminocarboxylated modified hydrochar (ACHC) by hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), which was then followed by activation, etherification, amination, and carboxylation successively. ACHC was systematically characterized, and batch adsorption studies were used to assess its methylene blue (MB) adsorption capacity. Adsorption was analyzed by adsorption isotherm models, the adsorption mass transfer model, and the adsorption thermodynamics model. Density functional theory (DFT) was utilized to explain adsorption mechanisms. The findings demonstrated the adsorption was one type of endothermic, spontaneous, and homogenous monolayer adsorption with intra-particle diffusion, containing both chemical and physical adsorption, involving electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding, and π-π interaction. At 303 and 323 K, the highest adsorption capacity was 1017.29 and 1060.45 mg·g−1, respectively. Furthermore, when the recycle time was 4, the equilibrium adsorption capacity remained at 665.43 mg·g−1, which implied fairly good regeneration performance. The modification provided a simple, environmentally friendly, and economical solution for converting sugarcane bagasse into an efficient adsorbent for MB treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Porous Carbon Materials: Preparation and Application)
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