Traditional
synthesis methods of highly porous carbon xerogels
impose many limitations on production in large scale such as low heat
and mass transfer and long processing time. In this study, for the
first time, recorsinol–formaldehyde (RF) xerogels were carbonized
by fast heating rates (σ) in a fluidized bed reactor. The specific
surface area (Φ) and pore volume of carbon xerogels were examined
in terms of particle size (≈ 100 and 297 μm), carbonization
temperature (298–1273 K), and σ (5–50 K min–1). The temperature above which Φ decreases by
increasing temperature was shifted to lower values for larger particles.
Moreover, Φ and volume of micro- and mesopores increased by
increasing σ. Possible mechanisms to interpret the effects of
carbonization temperature and σ on physical properties of carbon
xerogels were finally furnished. Carbonization time was found to be ≈25-times faster by fluidization
while maintaining the quality of xerogels.