Synthesis of potassium Bitartrate-derived porous carbon via a facile and Self-Activating strategy for CO2 adsorption application

•Porous carbons were synthesized from pyrolysis of potassium bitartrate.•This is a facile single-step, free of solvent and self-activating approach.•The obtained carbon exhibits high CO2 uptake, 5.16 mmol/g at 0 °C and 1 bar.•The sorbents also exhibit various good CO2 adsorption properties.•Combined effect of narrow microporosity and pore size distribution decides CO2 uptake.