Changes of the pore structures in the carbonization process of two kinds of polysaccharides, cellulose and starch, were investigated in connection with their ethylene adsorption behavior. Both polysaccharides showed a large weight loss at around 400°C during pyrolysis. Thereafter, micropores were developed at 500–700°C where carbon micro-textures are formed with the elimination of light gases. N2 adsorption at −196°C could not correctly evaluate the micropores because of a temperature kinetic effect on the adsorption, while CO2 adsorption at 25°C was successfull. The uptake amount of ethylene can be predicted from the micropore surface area calculated from CO2 adsorption. The polysaccharides used in this study showed excellent ethylene adsorption after a simple carbonization treatment without carbon-surface modification such as activation or a catalyst support.
