Hierarchically controlled helical graphite films prepared from iodine-doped helical polyacetylene films using morphology-retaining carbonization

One-handed helical graphite films with a hierarchically controlled morphology were prepared from iodine-doped helical polyacetylene (H-PA) films using the recently developed morphology-retaining carbonization method. Results from scanning electron microscopy indicate that the hierarchical helical morphology of the H-PA film remains unchanged even after carbonization at 800 °C. The weight loss of the film due to carbonization was very small; only 10-29% of the weight of the film before doping was lost. Furthermore, the graphite film prepared by subsequent heating at 2600 °C retained the same morphology as that of the original H-PA film and that of the helical carbon film prepared at 800 °C. The screwed direction, twisted degree, and vertical or horizontal alignment of the helical graphite film were well controlled by changing the helical sense, helical pitch, and orientation state of the chiral nematic liquid crystal (N*-LC) used as an asymmetric LC reaction field. X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering measurements showed that graphitic crystallization proceeds in the carbon film during heat treatment at 2600 °C. Transmission electron microscopy measurements indicate that ultrasonication of the helical graphite film in ethanol for several hours gives rise to a single helical graphite fibril. The profound potentiality of the present graphite films is exemplified in their electrical properties. The horizontally aligned helical graphite film exhibits an enhancement in electrical conductivity and an evolution of electrical anisotropy in which conductivity parallel to the helical axis of the fibril bundle is higher than that perpendicular to the axis.     

Magnetic porous carbon derived from a Zn/Co bimetallic metal–organic framework as an adsorbent for the extraction of chlorophenols from water and honey tea samples

A novel magnetic porous carbon derived from a bimetallic metal–organic framework, Zn/Co‐MPC, was prepared by introducing cobalt into ZIF‐8. Magnetic porous carbon that possesses magnetic properties and a large specific surface area was firstly fabricated by the direct carbonization of Zn/Co‐ZIF‐8. The prepared magnetic porous carbon material was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The prepared magnetic porous carbon was used as a magnetic solid‐phase extraction adsorbent for the enrichment of chlorophenols from water and honey tea samples before high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis. Several experimental parameters that could influence the extraction efficiency were investigated and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, good linearities (r > 0.9957) for all calibration curves were obtained with low limits of detection, which are in the range of 0.1–0.2 ng mL^?1 for all the analytes. The results showed that the prepared magnetic porous carbon had an excellent adsorption capability toward the target analytes.     

酚醛树脂包覆氧化天然石墨作为锂离子电池负极材料

天然石墨经过浓硫酸氧化处理,酚醛树脂包覆并高温碳化后形成具有核壳结构的碳包覆氧化天然石墨复合材料.采用扫描电子显微镜(SEM),透射电子显微镜(TEM),X射线衍射(XRD),激光显微拉曼光谱(Raman)等检测技术对氧化处理以及酚醛树脂热解碳包覆前后天然石墨材料的结构与形貌进行分析与表征.结果表明,氧化处理与适量的酚醛树脂热解碳包覆有效修复了天然石墨表面的一些缺陷结构,使其表面更为光滑.电化学测试结果显示,经过氧化处理与酚醛树脂热解碳包覆后天然石墨材料电化学性能得到明显提高.酚醛树脂包覆量为9%时,复合材料表现出最好的电化学性能,其首次放电比容量为434.0mAh·g-1,40次循环后,放电比容量保持在361.6mAh·g-1,而未经处理的天然石墨放电比容量仅为332.3mAh·g-1.该改性方法有效提高了天然石墨材料的比容量,对其进一步应用具有重要意义.     

Preparation and characterization of helical carbon/silica nanofibers with lamellar mesopores on the surfaces

Helical 1,2-ethylene-silica nanofibers with lamellar mesopores on the surfaces and twisted rod-like mesopores inside were prepared according to literature procedures. After carbonization, helical carbon/ silica nanofibers with lamellar mesopores on the surfaces and twisted rod-like micropores inside were obtained. The morphologies and pore architectures of the carbon]silica nanofibers were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and N2 sorptions. Although the mesopores inside shrank into micropores, the helical nanostructure remained. Moreover, several carbon/silica nanofibers with lamellar mesopores on the surfaces and concentric circular micropores inside were also obtained. After being calcined in air, helical silica nanofibers with lamellar mesopores on the surfaces and twisted rod-like micropores inside were produced as well.     

Fabrication of carbon fibers with nanoporous morphologies from electrospun polyacrylonitrile/poly(L‐lactide) blends

Porous carbon nanofibers were prepared through electrospinning a blend solution of polyacrylonitrile and poly(L ‐lactide), followed by carbonization at different temperatures and in different atmospheres. Structural features of these porous carbon nanofibers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray powder diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. Surface area and pore structure were evaluated using the nitrogen adsorption technique. It was found that carbon fibers prepared by this scalable and relatively economical method exhibited a porous surface morphology with high specific surface area and large pore volume. The fiber diameter, surface area, pore volume, bulky crystalline structure, and surface crystalline structure of these carbon nanofibers showed a strong dependence on the polymer precursor composition and carbonization condition. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 493–503, 2009     

百香果皮基原位氮掺杂多孔碳/硫复合正极的制备及储锂性能

以生物质百香果皮为碳源,KHCO3为活化剂,采用同步活化碳化方法制备原位氮掺杂的分级多孔碳材料,将其与单质硫复合制得多孔碳/硫正极材料。通过X射线衍射(XRD)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)等表征技术对制备材料的物相组成、微观形貌、比表面积及孔结构进行研究分析。同时,利用紫外可见吸收光谱研究了多孔碳对多硫化物的吸附作用,用恒电流充放电测试了不同硫含量(60%～80%)的多孔碳/硫复合正极材料的电化学性能。结果表明,制得的多孔碳材料为无定型,具有1 093 m²·g^-1的高比表面积和0.63 cm³·g^-1的孔容;丰富的多孔结构和原位氮掺杂对多硫化物的物理化学协同吸附作用,有效降低了锂硫电池的“穿梭效应”,提高了电池的放电比容量和循环性能。硫含量为60%的多孔碳/硫复合材料,在0.05C和0.2C倍率下可释放1 057.7和763.4 mAh·g^-1的高初始放电比容量,在1C的高倍率下循环300次后的保持率为75%。     

Turn‐Number‐Dependent Motion Behavior of Catalytic Helical Carbon Micro/Nanomotors

Helical micro/nanomotors (MNMs) can be propelled by external fields to swim through highly viscous fluids like complex biological environments, which promises miniaturized robotic tools to perform assigned tasks at small scales. However, the catalytic propulsion method, most widely adopted to drive MNMs, is seldom studied to actuate helical MNMs. Herein, we report catalytic helical carbon MNMs (CHCM) by sputtering Pt onto helical carbon nano‐coils (HCNC) that are in bulk prepared by a thermal chemical vapor deposition method. The Pt‐triggered H₂O₂ decomposition can drive the MNMs by an electrokinetic mechanism. The MNMs demonstrate versatile motion behaviors including both directional propulsion and rotation depending on the turn number of the carbon helix. Besides, due to the ease of surface functionalization on carbon and other properties such as biocompatibility and photothermal effect, the helical carbon MNMs promise multifunctional applications for biomedical or environmental applications.     

Thermal degradation of polymers to polymeric carbon--an approach to the synthesis of new materials

One hundred years ago, Edison succeeded in preparing carbon fibers for his incandescent lamp bulb by thermal decomposition of natural polymeric fibers. Ten years ago, progress reports about “Novel Forms of Carbon” predicted outstanding properties and promising new applications for the carbonization products of synthetic polymers. Research and development in this field have been promoted by the problems of conventional technology (shortages of raw material and energy, pollution problems). Polymeric carbon materials—prepared by thermal degradation of synthetic polymers—exhibit a special ribbon-like microstructure. They will provide the chemist with many challenges.     

Chiral Carbonaceous Nanotubes Containing Twisted Carbonaceous Nanoribbons,Prepared by the Carbonization of Chiral Organic Self‐Assemblies

Single‐handed helical silica nanotubes containing chiral organic self‐assemblies were prepared by using a supramolecular templating approach. After carbonization and the removal of the silica, single‐handed helical carbonaceous nanotubes that contained twisted carbonaceous nanoribbons were obtained. It is believed that the nanotubes formed as a result of the adsorption of low‐molecular‐weight gelators. The twisted nanoribbons were formed because of the carbonization of the organic self‐assemblies. The samples were characterized by using field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and circular dichroism. For the samples carbonized at 900 °C for 3.0 h, a partially graphitized structure was identified. The circular dichroism (CD) spectra indicated that the twisted nanoribbons exhibited optical activity. The CD spectrum was simulated by using time‐dependent density functional theory. The results suggested that the CD signals originated from the chiral stacking of aromatic rings.     

Preparation of novel porous carbon spheres from corn starch

Irregular porous carbon spheres were successfully prepared from Na₂SnO₃ coated corn porous starch by carbonization. The product was characterized with X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope (SEM). It is verified that the irregular porous carbon spheres are composed of disordered carbon, and the skeleton and pores of the corn porous starch was well preserved after carbonization. The pore size of the irregular porous carbon spheres is almost the same, which is similar to that of the porous starch. And the pore size decreases from about 0.91 μm to 0.53 μm measured from the SEM pictures. The texture of the irregular porous carbon spheres is mainly determined by that of porous starch.     

Carbonization of electrospun poly(acrylonitrile) nanofibers containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes observed by transmission electron microscope with in situ heating

Composite nanofibers with 5% w/w multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in polyacrylonitrile (PAN) were fabricated using the electrospinning technique. Morphological development during the carbonization process was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with in situ heating. It was found that the orientation of graphitic layers increases with temperature and does not change significantly with time during our TEM measurement, except the 750 °C. In the heating stage at 750 °C noticeable enhancement of orientation with time was observed. The presence of embedded CNTs enhances the order of the formed graphitic structures even when the CNTs are irregular or entangled. The results indicate that embedded MWCNTs in the PAN nanofibers nucleate the growth of carbon crystals during PAN carbonization. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2010     

Preparation of FeS/iron oxide composite and flax stem‐based porous carbon and its Cr(VI) removal ability

Using flax stem and ferrous sulfate, a composite porous carbon material was prepared by means of high‐temperature roasting and a one‐step process in a muffle furnace. The samples were characterized using X‐Ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the effects of ferrous sulfate concentration, carbonization temperature, and pH values of Cr(VI) aqueous solution on the removal performance of Cr(VI) were studied. XRD and SEM analysis showed that the prepared samples were amorphous porous carbon loaded with FeS/Fe₂O₃/Fe₃O₄. High FeSO₄ impregnation concentration, high carbonization temperature, and a low pH value of Cr(VI) aqueous solution were beneficial for Cr(VI) removal. When pH = 2, the amount of Cr(VI) removal was 99.93 mg/g by the sample obtained from 1 g flax powder impregnated in 4.5 mmol FeSO₄/40 mL H₂O solution and calcined for 2 hr at 800°C.     

Synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical properties of ordered mesoporous carbons containing nickel oxide nanoparticles using sucrose and nickel acetate in a silica template

New ordered mesoporous carbons containing nickel oxide nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by carbonization of sucrose in the presence of nickel acetate inside SBA-15 mesoporous silica template. The obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption-desorption, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The NiO nanoparticles were embedded inside the mesoporous carbon framework due to the simultaneous pyrolysis of nickel acetate during carbonization. The electrochemical testing of the as-made nanocomposites showed a large specific capacitance of 230 F g⁻¹ using 2 M KOH as the electrolyte at room temperature. This is attributed to the nanometer-sized NiO formed inside mesoporous carbons and the high surface area of the mesopores in which the NiO nanoparticles are formed. Furthermore, the synthetic process is proposed as a simple and general method for the preparation of new functionalized mesoporous carbon materials, for various applications in catalysis, sensor or advanced electrode material.     

聚苯胺改性氮掺杂碳纳米管制备及其超级电容器性能

利用苯胺原位化学聚合合成聚苯胺包覆碳纳米管(CNTs), 再炭化处理制备氮掺杂碳纳米管(NCNTs).激光拉曼(Raman)光谱和X射线光电子谱(XPS)分析及透射电镜(TEM)观察表明, 苯胺包覆碳纳米管经炭化处理后, 得到以碳纳米管为核、氮掺杂碳层为壳, 具有核-壳结构的氮掺杂碳纳米管, 而碳纳米管本征结构未遭破坏. 研究表明, 随着苯胺用量的增大, 氮掺杂碳纳米管的氮掺杂碳层变厚, 氮含量从7.06%(质量分数)增加到8.64%, 而作为超级电容器电极材料, 随着氮掺杂碳层厚度降低, 氮掺杂碳纳米管在6 mol·L^-1氢氧化钾电解液中的比容量从107 F·g^-1增大到205 F·g^-1, 远高于原始碳纳米管10 F·g^-1的比容量, 且聚苯胺改性氮掺杂碳纳米管表现出较好的充放电循环性, 经1000次充放电循环后仍保持初始容量的92.8%~97.1%, 表明氮掺杂碳纳米管不仅通过表面氮杂原子引入大的法拉第电容和改善亲水性使电容量显著增大, 其具有的核壳结构特征也使循环稳定性增强。     

用于可充锂电池的高倍率磷酸铁(II)锂正极材料

本文以聚氧化乙烯为碳源,用柠檬酸辅助湿化学法合成了高倍率的碳包覆的LiFePO₄。使用热重、粉末X射线衍射、扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜、循环伏安、电化学阻抗和恒流充放电表征材料的结构和电化学性质。结果表明,该材料组成为5 wt%疏松多孔的碳包覆相纯度很高的小的LiFePO₄颗粒。该材料适用于高倍率充放电,在5 C、10 C和20C的放电倍率下可以分别得到120、90和60 mAh·g^-1的稳定容量。     

Highly ordered three dimensional macroporous carbon spheres and their acid catalytic properties

Highly ordered three dimensional macroporous carbon spheres bearing sulfonic acid groups (MPCS-SO₃H) were prepared by incomplete carbonization of glucose in silica crystal bead template, followed by sulfonation and removal of the template. The composition and porous structure of the obtained carbon spheres were investigated by physical adsorption of nitrogen, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy techniques. While the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was used to characterize the functional groups on the surface of carbon spheres. The catalytic properties of the MPCS-SO₃H were evaluated by esterification of ethanol with acetic acid, indicating that MPCS-SO₃H possess remarkable catalytic performance (high stability and acid catalytic ability) for the esterification.     

Carbonized silk fibers for in‐tube solid‐phase microextraction to detect polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water samples

Silk fibers were carbonized to develop a biomass carbon material as an adsorbent for solid‐phase microextraction. The surface structure of the carbonized silk fibers was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and the graphitization degree was determined by Raman spectrometry. After carbonization under high temperature, the orderliness and structural regularity of carbon atoms on silk fibers were promoted. Extraction tube packed with carbonized silk fibers was prepared for in‐tube solid‐phase microextraction. Coupled with high performance liquid chromatography, it exhibited good extraction performance for hydrophobic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Main parameters including sampling volume, sampling rate, methanol content in sample, and desorption time were systematically investigated. Under the optimum conditions, the analysis method was established and it exhibited wide linear range (0.016–20 μg/L) with good linearity (correlation coefficient ≥ 0.9947), low limits of detection (0.005–0.050 μg/L), and high enrichment factors (1189–2775). Relative standard deviations (n = 3) for intraday (≤3.3%) and interday (≤9.6%) tests indicated that the extraction material had satisfactory repeatability. Finally, the analytical method was successfully applied to detect trace polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in real water samples, demonstrating its satisfactory practicability.     

Polyporous C@WC_(1-x) composite and its electrocatalytic activity for p-nitrophenol reduction

The polyporous carbon supported tungsten carbide(polyporous C@WC_1-x) composite was prepared using hexagonal silica MCM-41 as the hard template by raw material solution impregnation,mechanical milling and simultaneous reduction and carbonization by temperature programming in mixture gas（CH₄/H₂）.The structure and morphology of polyporous C@WC_1-x composite were studied via X-ray diffraction,transmission electron microscopy and so on.The electrocatalytic property was tested for the electroreduction of p-nitrophenol（PNP） in neutral media.Results revealed that the composite is consisted of polyporous carbon and nanocrystalline WC_1-x,possessing good electrocatalytic activity in the reaction of PNP reduction.     

Preparation and characterization of templated porous carbons from sucrose by one-pot method and application as a CO2 adsorbent

The templated porous carbons were prepared from sucrose by one-pot method. In this method in which the pre-synthesis of the hard template is eliminated, the porous carbons were produced by organic-inorganic self-assembly of sucrose, tetraethyl ortosilicate (TEOS), Pluronic P123 and n-butanol in an acidic medium, and subsequent carbonization. The synthesis parameters such as sucrose amount, TEOS molar ratio and carbonization temperature were evaluated for describing their effects on the pore structures of the synthesized carbons. The prepared porous carbons were characterized by N₂ adsorption, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The carbon dioxide adsorption uptakes of the obtained porous carbons were determined at 1 bar and 273 K. The templated carbon obtained with the lowest TEOS molar ratio exhibited the highest BET surface area of 1289 m²/g and micropore volume of 0.467 cm³/g, and showed the highest CO₂ uptake of 2.28 mmol/g.     

Preparation of submicron polypyrrole/poly(methyl methacrylate) coaxial fibers and conversion to polypyrrole tubes and carbon tubes

In an effort to prepare electrically conductive nanofiber and nanotube materials, polypyrrole/poly(methyl methacrylate) coaxial fibers have been prepared using polymer fibers produced from an electrospinning process. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) fibers with an average diameter of 230 nm were initially fabricated by electrospinning as core materials. The PMMA fibers were subsequently coated as templates with a thin layer of polypyrrole (PPy) by in-situ deposition of the conducting polymer from aqueous solution. Hollow PPy tubes were produced by dissolution of the PMMA core from PPy/PMMA coaxial fibers. High-temperature (1000 degrees C) treatment under inert atmosphere converted PPy/PMMA coaxial fibers into carbon tubes by complete decomposition of PMMA fiber core and carbonization of the PPy wall. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed the formation of the PPy/PMMA coaxial fibers, PPy tubes, and carbon tubes.