Evidence for the formation of slit mesopores in activated carbon

The formation of slit mesopores due to a certain mechanism in activated carbons is examined. The possible mechanism for the formation of slit mesopores may be related to a spalling phenomenon involving the shearing forces via a high physical activation temperature. The shearing forces may be due to the shrinking of the global framework by the large decrease in the H/C ratio, resulting from the high burn-off. On the other hand, forces in the opposed directions are expected to rise according to the temperature expansion coefficient. These assumptions are supported by the significant large particle size reduction and smaller yield after physical activation with respect to chemical activation.