Carbon samples were prepared from cellulose by carbonization under the nitrogen atmosphere and water steam activation. Their structure and specific surface area during carbonation and activation processes were studied by thermal analysis,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,X-ray diffraction,and nitrogen adsorption at low temperature. The results show that groups in the cellulose molecular structure like C—OH,C—O—C and C—H are mostly pyrolyzed completely between 280- 380 ℃. A few fragments or surface gro...