Nanoporous Carbons: Looking Beyond Their Perception as Adsorbents, Catalyst Supports and Supercapacitors

Abstract

The discovery of carbon nanoforms, and especially graphene, has opened up new directions of science and technology. Many applications are based on the unique properties of graphene, such as its high electrical and thermal conductivity, strength, flexibility, photoactivity and transparency. Inspired by the emerging graphene science, we directed our efforts to the exploration of new applications of nanoporous (microporous) carbons. Their matrix is built of distorted graphene layers, between which pores with sizes ranging from a fraction of a nanometer to hundreds of nanometers exist. This is a very unique feature of nanoporous carbons resulting in their developed surface areas. Moreover, there are vast possibilities to modify the surface chemistry of carbons and thus their surface properties. Even though the traditional applications of porous carbons focus mainly on adsorption and separation, we decided to explore them as photocatalysts, oxygen reduction catalysts and sensors. Related to their visible-light activity, their possible application in solar energy harvesting is also indicated. This Personal Account presents our paths leading to the exploration of these directions, describing the results collected and difficulties encountered, along with the challenges remaining to be addressed.

Diamond-Like Carbon Nanofoam from Low-Temperature Hydrothermal Carbonization of a Sucrose/Naphthalene Precursor Solution

“…This applies to various types of materials such as nanoporous hard carbon microspheres [70], fiber-based nanoporous carbon [71], nanoporous carbon tubes [72], nanoporous carbon films [73] or activated carbon [74]. The graphitic nature, given by sp 2 hybridization, provides the large surface area in the interior of the foam scaffold.…”

Nanoporous Carbon Synthesis: An Old Story with Exciting New Chapters

“…This set of patents mentions the bases of the chemical activation process (carbonization of lignocellulosic materials with metallic chlorides) and of the thermal or physical activation (slight gasification of chars with water vapor or carbon dioxide at elevated temperatures) and also the specific equipment for thereof. The factory for full-scale activated carbon production was built by that time in Ratibor, now named Raciborz (Poland), and still operates, being so the world's oldest industrial activated carbon manufacturing plant [10,11].…”

Colloidal Supercapattery: Redox Ions in Electrode and Electrolyte

“…In addition, the charge storage mechanism of the graphene paper electrode in the K 3 Fe(CN) 6 ‐Na 2 SO 4 electrolyte is diffusion‐controlled. It is reported that carbon‐based materials often show electrical double layer capacitance . The reaction mechanism of the graphene paper electrode was changed from a surface controlled to a diffusion‐controlled reaction with the present of redox electrolyte.…”