Characterization of Carbon Beads Derived from Porous Polyimide Copolymer

Abstract

A new carbon sorbent obtained by the carbonization of beads of the porous copolymer of 4,4′-bis(maleimidodiphenyl)methane and styrene is described. To determine the influence of the carbonization process on the porous and chemical structure of the sorbent, nitrogen adsorption at low temperature, mercury porosimetry, quasi-isothermal analysis and chromatographic measurements were made. The results indicate that polar imide functional groups were destroyed during carbonization, changing the chemical and porous structure of the sorbent. In consequence, non-polar porous carbon particles were obtained.