A microwave synthesized mesoporous carbon sponge as an efficient adsorbent for Cr(vi) removal.

Mesoporous carbon materials have recently attracted immense research interest because of their potential application in water purification fields. Herein, we report the synthesis of a mesoporous carbon sponge (MCS) from a supramolecular microcrystalline cellulose-polymer system triggered by microwave-assisted treatment. Benefiting from the three-dimensional (3D) interconnected mesopores and an evenly distributed ball-like protuberance on the inner surfaces of the macropores, the MCS exhibited a high adsorption capacity (93.96 mg g) for fast Cr(vi) removal within 5 min. Additionally, the MCS can be regenerated and reused after the adsorption-desorption process, and maintained an adsorption capacity of ∼86% after 10 cycles. The high adsorption capacity, significantly reduced treatment time, and reusability make the MCS promising for the purification of wastewater on a large scale.