Inhibiting effect of incorporated nitrogen on the oxidation of microcrystalline carbons

Abstract

Nitrogen-containing carbons were prepared by carbonization of sucrose with additions of urea, glucosamine hydrochloride, uracil, hydroxymethyl pyridine, or picolylamine. The development of their nitrogen content during charring, carbonization at 1100°C, and subsequent activation with CO 2 at 850°C was followed by chemical analysis as a function of the quantity of nitrogen additive. The time needed to reach a constant burn-off during activation with CO 2 was considerably longer than with a nitrogen-free sucrose carbon. A similar inhibition of oxidation was also observed in the oxidation with 5% O 2-95% Ar. Kinetic data were obtained from thermogravimetric experiments. The nitrogen contained in the carbons was liberated during combustion largely as NO x.