Electrospun carbon nanofiber networks from phenolic resin for capacitive deionization

Abstract

The performance of capacitive deionization (CDI) mainly relies on the ion electrosorption capability. Here, we introduce a kind of free-standing, highly porous carbon nanofiber (CNF) networks with enhanced desalination capacity. The CNF networks were easily prepared by electrospinning of phenolic resin (PhR) precursor followed by one-step carbonization step.The as-obtained PhR-based CNF networks exhibited characteristics of high flexibility, conductivity and specific surface area (SSA) along with favorable porosity, and hence demonstrated enhanced desalination capacity. When used as CDI electrodes, the PhR-based CNF networks have demonstrated a desalination capacity of 50.1 mg g -1 toward 2000 mg L -1 brackish water at 1.2 V, much better than most reported data thus far. More importantly, easy recovery and good reproducibility could be obtained for such electrodes. Therefore, construction of PhR-based CNF network electrodes offers remarkable opportunities for 2 improving CDI capabilities and reliability given its simplicity, easy operation, and high performance.

Nanofibers as new-generation materials: From spinning and nano-spinning fabrication techniques to emerging applications

“…Mesoporous and hollow carbon nanofibers are excellent candidates for making the electrodes used in CDI units [231]. Metal oxide/carbon nanofibers also have been investigated as electrode material.…”

Porous carbon derived from Metal–organic framework (MOF) for capacitive deionization electrode

“…The intersection of impedance spectra with the real axis at the high frequency end is the bulk resistance (R s ) [2]. The semicircle represents the ionic migration resistance (namely polarization resistance), which is ascribed to the double-layer capacitance (C dl ) in parallel with the charge transfer resistance (R ct ) at the contact interface between the electrode and the electrolyte solution [27]. The line is called the Warburg impedance (Z w ), which was created by the diffusion of the electrolyte ions into pores of PC and AC electrodes.…”

Carbon based materials: a review of adsorbents for inorganic and organic compounds

“…In this technique, the precursors of CNFs are generally fabricated from polymer nanofibers. PAN (polyacrylonitrile), 198 pitches, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), [199][200][201] polyimides (PIs), [202][203][204] polybenzimidazole (PBI), [205][206][207] poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), [208][209][210] phenolic resin [211][212][213] and lignin 201,214 are used as polymers. The major properties of CNF composites include satisfactory electrical, thermal conductivity and mechanical properties and their mechanical and thermal transport phenomena are widely studied.…”