Catalytic Effect of Transition Metals (Copper, Iron, and Nickel) on the Foaming and Properties of Sugar-Based Carbon Foams

Abstract

Recently, bio-based carbon foams have gained much interest in many chemical industry fields because of their unique structure and properties. This study provides new information on the effects of catalytic metals (iron, nickel, and copper) on the foaming process. Specifically, the effects of these catalysts on the density, foam growth, and cell size and then further on the pore size distribution and specific surface areas after the physical activation are considered. Furthermore, some of the activated sugar foams were used in adsorption tests using methylene blue as adsorbent. Results showed that the highest effect on foam density was obtained using the iron catalyst in the foaming process. In addition, increasing the iron amount, the development of micro-pores decreased from 95.2 to 60.3% after cabonization and activation of the foams. Nickel and iron had the highest and lowest effect on foam rise at 1375 and 500%, respectively. Interestingly, when the nickel catalyst was used, cell sizes and surface areas two times larger than those when the foams were prepared with the iron and copper catalysts was obtained. The specific surface area of activated sugar-based carbon foams changed significantly with the increased copper amount inside the foaming solution in compared with iron or nickel catalyst. Methylene blue adsorption capacity of additional series of activated sugar foams decreased from 28 to 9% when meso-pore amount decreased.

Synthesis of Micro- and Mesoporous Carbon Foams with Nanodispersed Metals for Adsorption and Catalysis Applications

“…As already mentioned, the creation of the cellular network is a consequence of the release of volatiles that, as seen in thermogravimetric analysis, vary considerably in the presence of nitrates. The metallic nitrates act as catalysts in the condensation reactions of sucrose decomposition products but simultaneously contribute to the release of volatiles with the formation of NOx [ 29 , 30 ]. Moreover, as a consequence of the greater number of volatiles evolved during foaming, the resulting foam showed a higher dilatation.…”

“…The conditions of the manufacturing process can be altered using different types of additives. Metallic nitrates catalyze the condensation reactions while contributing to the foaming by releasing NOx [ 28 , 29 , 30 ]. Other studies have evaluated the addition of reagents or components to improve specific properties of the final CFs.…”

Carbon-Supported Cobalt Nanoparticles via Thermal Sugar Decomposition as Efficient Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

“…However, C-foam derived from sugars (glucose, sucrose, etc.) in the presence of an inorganic catalyst, exhibiting a high porosity and surface area after pyrolysis materials at high temperature, is reported. ,, For these materials, organic and inorganic compounds are eliminated during the high-temperature treatment (pyrolysis), resulting in their high porosity and surface area properties. Additionally, the elimination and removal of inorganic and organic species are responsible for the development of tiny pores during pyrolysis.…”

“…Recently, C materials derived from sugar-based sources have been introduced into C-based derivative materials as C-foam. − The blowing of sugar as a C source in the presence of an additive compound (organic and inorganic), followed by high-temperature treatment (pyrolysis), is an attractive procedure to synthesize C-foam materials. The highlighted advantages are abundant, renewable sources with low cost for the synthesis of C-foam.…”

Dehydrogenation of propane over sugar foams templated Ga2O3 nanoparticles catalysts

“…Intrinsically, as a natural carbon source, sucrose could be spontaneously converted to carbon foams when operated below 200 °C at ambient pressure [22]. As carbon foams had ordered structures and well-defined pore size distributions, the precursor of metallic oxide could also be evenly dispersed on carbon foams by heating sucrose-nitrate mixed solution [23].…”