This study reports an approach for synthesis of graphitic carbon nanocages (CNCs) via pyrolysis of ethanol with dissolved iron carbonyl at temperatures from 600 to 900 °C. The in situ formed Fe catalyst and template enabled the in situ generation of carbon from ethanol and formation of graphitic layers on the template surface. With the removal of the template, hollow CNCs were obtained to have a fine size of 30−50 nm and a large surface area of 400−800 m2/g. The CNCs also became dispersible in water without aggregation and settling after several months through HNO3 treatment. As an example for potential applications, the CNCs were demonstrated to be a good material for supporting the Pt catalyst used in low-temperature fuel cells. Considering its continuous and low-temperature operation, in situ formation of catalyst and template, and in situ graphitization of decomposed carbon, the present approach may be suitable for large-scale production of high surface area and water-dispersible graphitic carbon and would be practically relevant for many technologies.

A novel process of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) by sodium humate (HA-Na) solution was developed. Experiments were carried out to examine the effect of various operating parameters, such as the HA-Na concentration, pH, temperature, gas flow rate, O 2 concentration, SO 2 inlet concentration, and NO 2 , on the SO 2 absorption efficiency and desulfurization time in a lab-scale bubbling reactor. The experimental results indicate that the HA-Na concentration significantly influences the desulfurization time but has little effect on the SO 2 absorption efficiency. The desulfurization time increases with the HA-Na concentration reaching 0.06 g/mL, and after this value, it begins to decrease. The SO 2 absorption efficiency maintains 99% when pH is above 4.5. A low gas flow rate and low temperature are favorable to SO 2 absorption. The increase of the SO 2 inlet concentration improves the mass transfer of SO 2 and accelerates the SO 2 consumption rate. NO 2 coexisting with SO 2 can promote SO 2 absorption because it may speed up oxidation of sulfite to sulfate. HA-Na solution shows great performance in SO 2 absorption, and the SO 2 absorption efficiency can be maintained above 98% for 1.5 h with 100 mL of HA-Na solution (0.06 g/mL), at the condition of 25 °C, gas flow rate of 0.14 m 3 /h, and inlet SO 2 concentration of 2000 ppm. Moreover, the desulfurization products can be made into the humic acid (HA) compound fertilizer, and recycling water can be obtained in this desulfurization process.

Replacing the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER) by sulfide electro-oxidation reaction (SOR) could be a promising way to decrease the energy consumption for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and to treat...

Nanostructured graphitic carbon materials have wide applications. However, the synthesis of such materials with a high surface area is still a great challenge. In this study, graphitic carbon nanocages with a surface area as high as 400-800 m 2 g 21 were synthesized by pyrolysis of ethanol with dissolved iron carbonyl. This graphitic carbon was successfully applied as an electrode material for proton exchange membrane fuel cells and showed 40% improvement in fuel cell performance from amorphous carbon. The present method could be applied to large-scale production of graphitic carbon with a high surface area and would be practically relevant for fuel cell and many other technologies.