A　simple　route　was　developed　to　fabricate　graphitic　mesoporous　carbon　with　ultrathin　walls　by　direct　pyrolysis　of　the　mixture　of　petroleum　asphalt　and　aluminum　isopropoxide.　The　graphitic　mesoporous　carbon　prepared　has　a　surface　area　of　479 m2 g−1　with　an　average　pore　diameter　of　7.53 nm　and　possesses　a　relatively　high　mesopore　volume　of　1.55 cm3 g−1.　©　2017　Elsevier　B.V.