An activated carbon powder comprising activated carbon particles that comprise D-band carbon corresponding to a sp.sup.3 hybridized disordered carbon phase and G-band carbon corresponding to a sp.sup.2 hybridized graphitic phase at a controlled proportion. Additionally, the activated carbon particles comprise nitrogen at an amount that is in a range of about 0.3 atomic % to about 1.8 atomic % of the activated carbon particles, wherein at least some of the nitrogen atoms are substituted for carbon atoms in the crystal lattice structure of the G-band carbon. Also, the carbon particles have a surface area that is in a range of about 900 m.sup.2/g to about 2,500 m.sup.2/g, an average pore width in a range of about 1 nm to about 4 nm, a microporous surface area in a range of about 300 m.sup.2/g to about 1,350 m.sup.2/g, and a cumulative surface area of pores with a hydraulic radius in a range of 0.285 nm to 1.30 nm that is in a range of about 1,000 m.sup.2/g to about 3,000 m.sup.2/g.

The present invention provides activated carbon with which hydrophilicity is excellent and the amount of steam adsorbed is increased, and provides a method for producing this activated carbon. This activated carbon is characterized in that the amount of basic functional groups in the activated carbon is 0.470 meq/m.sup.2 or greater. Preferably the amount of basic groups per specific surface area of activated carbon is 0.200 μeq/m.sup.2 or greater and the ratio of the amount of basic functional groups and the amount of acidic functional groups (basic functional groups/acidic functional groups) is 1.00 or greater. This method for producing activated carbon is characterized in comprising a step for imparting basic functional groups by bringing the activated carbon into contact with a basic substance. According to a preferred embodiment, the method comprises a step for heating the resulting activated carbon in an insert atmosphere.

A method for producing porous graphite capable of realizing higher durability, output and capacity, and porous graphite. A carbon member having microvoids is obtained by a dealloying step for selectively eluting other non-carbon main components into a metal bath by immersing a carbon-containing material, composed of a compound including carbon or an alloy or non-equilibrium alloy, in the metal bath, wherein the metal bath has a solidifying point lower than the melting point of the carbon-containing material, and is controlled to a temperature lower than the minimum value of a liquidus temperature within a composition fluctuation range extending from the carbon-containing material to carbon by reducing the other non-carbon main components. The carbon member obtained in the dealloying step is graphitized by heating in a graphitization step. The carbon member graphitized in the graphitization step is subjected to activation treatment by an activation step.

Provided are a carbon structure, a method of manufacturing the carbon structure, and an energy storage device having the carbon structure. According to the method of manufacturing the carbon structure, a reaction solution containing a catalyst and an organic solvent containing an aromatic compound is provided. Plasma is generated in the reaction solution, thereby forming a crystalline carbon structure.

A method is for producing activated carbon. The method includes: a) mixing a carbonaceous precursor with chemically activating agents to obtain a feedstock mixture; b) producing activated carbon by heating the feedstock mixture under the atmosphere of a physically activating gas; and c) performing suitable post-activation treatment of the produced activated carbon. Step a) includes in sequence the sub-steps of: i. addition of a first chemically activating agent to obtain an impregnated precursor; and ii. addition of a second chemically activating agent to obtain the feedstock mixture. An activated carbon species is obtainable by the method. The activated carbon species may thus be tuned to have a pore size distribution optimized for use in a carbon electrode.

A method is for producing activated carbon. The method includes: a) mixing a carbonaceous precursor with chemically activating agents to obtain a feedstock mixture; b) producing activated carbon by heating the feedstock mixture under the atmosphere of a physically activating gas; and c) performing suitable post-activation treatment of the produced activated carbon. Step a) includes in sequence the sub-steps of: i. addition of a first chemically activating agent to obtain an impregnated precursor; and ii. addition of a second chemically activating agent to obtain the feedstock mixture. An activated carbon species is obtainable by the method. The activated carbon species may thus be tuned to have a pore size distribution optimized for use in a carbon electrode.

The present invention relates to an activated carbon, having a pore volume (A) of 0.3 to 0.7 mL/g at a pore diameter of 6.5 to 50 nm as determined by mercury intrusion porosimetry, a pore volume (B) of 0.23 mL/g or less at a pore diameter of 750 to 4,000 nm as determined by mercury intrusion porosimetry, and a pore volume ratio (A)/(B) of 1.7 or higher.

The present invention relates to an activated carbon, having a pore volume (A) of 0.3 to 0.7 mL/g at a pore diameter of 6.5 to 50 nm as determined by mercury intrusion porosimetry, a pore volume (B) of 0.23 mL/g or less at a pore diameter of 750 to 4,000 nm as determined by mercury intrusion porosimetry, and a pore volume ratio (A)/(B) of 1.7 or higher.

A novel method for producing a porous carbon material which makes it possible to easily produce a porous carbon material having a desired shape; and a spherical porous carbon material are provided. The method includes immersing a carbon-containing material having a desired shape and composed of a compound, alloy or non-equilibrium alloy containing carbon in a metal bath, the metal bath having a solidification point that is lower than a melting point of the carbon-containing material, the metal bath being controlled to a lower temperature than a minimum value of a liquidus temperature within a compositional fluctuation range extending from the carbon-containing material to carbon by decreasing the other non-carbon main components, to thereby selectively elute the other non-carbon main components into the metal bath while maintaining an external shape of the carbon-containing material to give a porous carbon material having microvoids.

A novel method for producing a porous carbon material which makes it possible to easily produce a porous carbon material having a desired shape; and a spherical porous carbon material are provided. The method includes immersing a carbon-containing material having a desired shape and composed of a compound, alloy or non-equilibrium alloy containing carbon in a metal bath, the metal bath having a solidification point that is lower than a melting point of the carbon-containing material, the metal bath being controlled to a lower temperature than a minimum value of a liquidus temperature within a compositional fluctuation range extending from the carbon-containing material to carbon by decreasing the other non-carbon main components, to thereby selectively elute the other non-carbon main components into the metal bath while maintaining an external shape of the carbon-containing material to give a porous carbon material having microvoids.