A novel way to maintain resorcinol–formaldehyde porosity during drying: Stabilization of the sol–gel nanostructure using a cationic polyelectrolyte

Hierarchical Biobased Macroporous/Mesoporous Carbon: Fabrication, Characterization and Electrochemical/Ion Exchange Properties

With the goal of improving the mechanical properties of porous hierarchical carbon, cellulosic fiber fabric was incorporated into the resorcinol/formaldehyde (RF) precursor resins. The composites were carbonized in an inert atmosphere, and the carbonization process was monitored by TGA/MS. The mechanical properties, evaluated by nanoindentation, show an increase in the elastic modulus due to the reinforcing effect of the carbonized fiber fabric. It was found that the adsorption of the RF resin precursor onto the fabric stabilizes its porosity (micro and mesopores) during drying while incorporating macropores. The textural properties are evaluated by N₂ adsorption isotherm, which shows a surface area (BET) of 558 m²g^-1. The electrochemical properties of the porous carbon are evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronocoulometry (CC), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Specific capacitances (in 1 M H₂SO₄) of up to 182 Fg^-1 (CV) and 160 Fg^-1 (EIS) are measured. The potential-driven ion exchange was evaluated using Probe Bean Deflection techniques. It is observed that ions (protons) are expulsed upon oxidation in acid media by the oxidation of hydroquinone moieties present on the carbon surface. In neutral media, when the potential is varied from values negative to positive of the potential of zero charge, cation release, followed by anion insertion, is found.

Mechanochemical Synthesis of Polyanilines and Their Nanocomposites: A Critical Review

The mechanochemical synthesis of polyanilines (PANIs), made by oxidative polymerization of anilines, is reviewed. First, previous knowledge of the polymerization reaction in solution is discussed to understand the effect of different parameters: oxidant/monomer ratio, added acid, oxidant, temperature and water content on the properties of the conducting polymers (molecular weight, degradation, doping/oxidation level, conductivity, and nanostructure). The work on mechanochemical polymerization (MCP) of anilines is analyzed in view of previous data in solution, and published data are critically reconsidered to clarify the interpretation of experimental results. A key factor is the production of acids during polymerization, which is often overlooked. The production of gaseous HCl during MCP of aniline hydrochloride is experimentally observed. Since some experiments involves the addition of small amounts of water, the kinetics and heat balance of the reaction with concentrated solutions were simulated. A simple experiment shows fast (<2 min) heating of the reaction mixture to the boiling point of water and temperature increments are observed during MCP in a mortar. The form and sizes of PANI nanostructures made by MCP or solution are compared. The extensive work on the production of nanocomposites by MCP of anilines together with different nanomaterials (porous clays, graphene, carbon nanotubes, metal, and oxide nanoparticles) is also described.

Flexible pore structure modulation enables durable sulfur carrier for advanced lithium–sulfur batteries

The immobilization of polysulfide by carbon matrix via synergism can restrict the shuttle effect and extend the cycle life of Li–S batteries.

Effect of bimodal mesoporous carbon as PtRu catalyst support for direct methanol fuel cells

Mesoporous carbons (MCs) with different pore sizes were synthesized and evaluated as a catalyst support for fuel cells. The MCs were obtained from resorcinol-formaldehyde precursors, polymerized in the presence of polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (cationic polyelectrolyte) as a structuring agent and commercial silica (Sipernat® or Aerosil®) as the hard template. The MC obtained with Aerosil® shows a broad pore size distribution with a maximum at 21 nm. On the other hand, the MCs with Sipernat® show a bimodal pore size distribution, with a narrow peak centered at 5 nm and a broad peak with a maximum ca. 30 nm. All MCs present a high specific surface area (800-1000 m² g^-1) and total pore volume ranging from 1.36 to 1.69 cm³ g^-1. PtRu nanoparticles were deposited onto the MC support by an impregnation-reduction method with NaBH₄ at 80 °C in basic media. The electrochemical characterization reveals improved electrocatalysis towards the methanol oxidation for the catalyst deposited over the carbon with the highest total pore volume. This catalyst also presented the highest CO₂ conversion efficiency, ca. 80%, for the methanol oxidation as determined by differential electrochemical mass spectroscopy analysis. Moreover, the catalyst as a fuel cell anode showed the best performance, reaching a power density of 125 mW cm^-2 at 90 °C with methanol as fuel and dry O₂.

Tailoring porosity in carbon nanospheres for lithium-sulfur battery cathodes

Porous hollow carbon spheres with different tailored pore structures have been designed as conducting frameworks for lithium-sulfur battery cathode materials that exhibit stable cycling capacity. By deliberately creating shell porosity and utilizing the interior void volume of the carbon spheres, sufficient space for sulfur storage as well as electrolyte pathways is guaranteed. The effect of different approaches to develop shell porosity is examined and compared in this study. The most highly optimized sulfur-porous carbon nanosphere composite, created using pore-formers to tailor shell porosity, exhibits excellent cycling performance and rate capability. Sulfur is primarily confined in 4-5 nm mesopores in the carbon shell and inner lining of the shells, which is beneficial for enhancing charge transfer and accommodating volume expansion of sulfur during redox cycling. Little capacity degradation (∼0.1% /cycle) is observed over 100 cycles for the optimized material.

A direct and quantitative three-dimensional reconstruction of the internal structure of disordered mesoporous carbon with tailored pore size

A new technique that allows direct three-dimensional (3D) investigations of mesopores in carbon materials and quantitative characterization of their physical properties is reported. Focused ion beam nanotomography (FIB-nt) is performed by a serial sectioning procedure with a dual beam FIB-scanning electron microscopy instrument. Mesoporous carbons (MPCs) with tailored mesopore size are produced by carbonization of resorcinol-formaldehyde gels in the presence of a cationic surfactant as a pore stabilizer. A visual 3D morphology representation of disordered porous carbon is shown. Pore size distribution of MPCs is determined by the FIB-nt technique and nitrogen sorption isotherm methods to compare both results. The obtained MPCs exhibit pore sizes of 4.7, 7.2, and 18.3 nm, and a specific surface area of ca. 560 m(2)/g.