High surface area nanoporous carbon derived from high quality jute from Bangladesh

We report an economically viable and environment-friendly strategy for the preparation of nanoporous carbon (NC) from jute which is one of the most abundant natural fibers produced in Bangladesh and some South Asian countries. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, UV spectroscopy, and scanning/transmission electron microscopy were performed to characterize the obtained NC. Three different types of jute-derived NCs have been synthesized at three different temperatures, 700 °C, 800 °C and 900 °C. The NC prepared at 800 °C resulted in a high surface area (981 m2 g−1) and was associated with the retention of the original fibrous shapes. This study shows a promising future for jute as a natural precursor for NCs for a myriad of applications ranging from water purification to gas separation to energy conversion and storage. •An economically viable strategy for the preparation of nanoporous carbon is reported.•This study shows a promising future for jute as a natural precursor for nanoporous carbon.•The obtained nanoporous carbon shows a high surface area (981 m2 g−1).•These carbons could be useful for a myriad of applications including water purification.