An activated carbon sample was synthesized using poly furfuryl alcohol (PFA) as the carbon precursor and ammonium-form zeolite Y as the template. The sample presents a specific surface area of 2545 m(2)/g and a hydrogen sorption capacity of 2.4% at 10 bar and 77 K. The structure of the sample was characterized with the sorption isotherms of N-2, Ar, and CO2, respectively. It was found that the small micropores and the specific surface area were better characterized by CO2 sorption and Ar sorption, respectively. The existence of the small micropores was confirmed by hydrogen isosteric heat of adsorption. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.