Abstract Carbon aerogels (CAs) were synthesized via a sol-gel process by condensation-polymerization of phloroglucinol, resorcinol and formaldehyde using 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid as catalyst with freeze-drying. The effects of the freeze-drying method on the texture and pore structure were studied. Meanwhile the structure of carbon aerogels was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a surface-area analyzer. The results show that the freeze-drying method and acid catalyst were good for the specific surface area of carbon aerogel, up to 765m2 g?1, and pore size distribution.