Chemical and Structural Properties of Carbonaceous Products Obtained by Hydrothermal Carbonization of Saccharides

Carbon-rich-quick scheme: A carbon-rich solid product made up of uniform micrometer-sized spheres of tunable diameter has been synthesized by the hydrothermal carbonization of saccharides. These microspheres possess a core-shell chemical structure based on the different nature of the oxygen functionalities between the core and the outer layer (see figure).A carbon-rich solid product, here denoted as hydrochar, has been synthesized by the hydrothermal carbonization of three different saccharides (glucose, sucrose, and starch) at temperatures ranging from 170 to 240 degrees C. This material is made up of uniform spherical micrometer-sized particles that have a diameter in the 0.4-6 mum range, which can be…