• Carbon letters
• /
• v.19
• /
• pp.99-103
• /
• 2016

Porous carbons have attracted much attention for their novel application in gas storage. In this study, porous graphite nano-fiber (PGNFs)-based graphite nano fibers (GNFs) were prepared by KOH activation to act as adsorbents. The GNFs were activated with KOH by changing the GNF/KOH weight ratio from 0 through 5 at 900℃. The effects of the GNF/KOH weight ratios on the pore structures were also addressed with scanning electron microscope and N₂ adsorption/desorption measurements. We found that the activated GNFs exhibited a gradual increase of CO₂ adsorption capacity at CK-3 and then decreased to CK-5, as determined by CO₂ adsorption isotherms. CK-3 had the narrowest micropore size distribution (0.6–0.78 nm) among the treated GNFs. Therefore, KOH activation was not only a significant method for developing a suitable pore-size distribution for gas adsorption, but also increased CO₂ adsorption capacity as well. The study indicated that the sample prepared with a weight ratio of ‘3’ showed the best CO₂ adsorption capacity (70.8 mg/g) as determined by CO₂ adsorption isotherms at 298 K and 1 bar.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.29 no.6
• /
• pp.759-764
• /
• 2018

3D porous carbon electrodes (cNPIM), prepared by solution casting of a polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1) followed by nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) and carbonization are presented. In order to effectively control the pore size of 3D porous carbon structures, cNPIM was prepared by varying the THF ratio of mixed solvents. The SEM analysis revealed that cNPIMs have a unique 3D macroporous structure having a gradient pore structure, which is expected to grant a smooth and easy ion transfer capability as an electrode material. In addition, the cNPIMs presented a very large specific surface area ($2,101.1m^2/g$) with a narrow micropore size distribution (0.75 nm). Consequently, the cNPIM exhibits a high specific capacitance (304.8 F/g) and superior rate capability of 77% in an aqueous electrolyte. We believe that our approach can provide a variety of new 3D porous carbon materials for the application to an electrochemical energy storage.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.198-206
• /
• 2024

Given the high theoretical capacity (1,675 mAh g^-1) and the inherent affordability and ubiquity of elemental sulfur, it stands out as a prominent cathode material for advanced lithium metal batteries. Traditionally, sulfur was sequestered within conductive porous carbons, rooted in the understanding that their inherent conductivity could offset sulfur's non-conductive nature. This study, however, pivots toward a transformative approach by utilizing diatom shell (DS, diatomite)-a naturally abundant and economically viable siliceous mineral-as a sulfur host. This approach enabled the development of a sulfurlayered diatomite/S composite (DS/S) for cathodic applications. Even in the face of the insulating nature of both diatomite and sulfur, the DS/S composite displayed vigorous participation in the electrochemical conversion process. Furthermore, this composite substantially curbed the loss of soluble polysulfides and minimized structural wear during cycling. As a testament to its efficacy, our Li-S battery, integrating this composite, exhibited an excellent cycling performance: a specific capacity of 732 mAh g^-1 after 100 cycles and a robust 77% capacity retention. These findings challenge the erstwhile conviction of requiring a conductive host for sulfur. Owing to diatomite's hierarchical porous architecture, eco-friendliness, and accessibility, the DS/S electrode boasts optimal sulfur utilization, elevated specific capacity, enhanced rate capabilities at intensified C rates, and steadfast cycling stability that underscore its vast commercial promise.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.32 no.5
• /
• pp.1507-1510
• /
• 2011

In this study, mercury vapor adsorption behaviors for some kinds of porous materials having various pore structures were investigated. The specific surface area and pore structures were studied by BET and D-R plot methods from $N_2$/77 K adsorption isotherms. It was found that the micropore materials (activated carbons, ACs) showed the highest mercury adsorption capacity. In a comparative study of mesoporous materials (SBA-15 and MCM-41), the adsorption capacity of the SBA-15 was higher than that of MCM-41. From the pore structure analysis, it was found that SBA-15 has a higher micropore fraction compared to MCM-41. This result indicates that the mercury vapor adsorptions can be determined by two factors. The first factor is the specific surface area of the adsorbent, and the second is the micropore fraction when the specific surface areas of the adsorbent are similar.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2011.05a
• /
• pp.214.2-214.2
• /
• 2011

In this work, porous carbon based electrodes are prepared by carbonization using poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/carbon nanotube (CNT) composites to further increase the specific capacitance for supercapacitors. Electrode materials investigate the aspects of specific capacitance, pore size distribution and surface area: influence of carbonization temperatures of PVDF/CNT composites. The electrochemical properties are investigated by cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectra, and galvanostatic charge-discharge performance with in $TEABF_4$ (tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate)/acetonitrile as non-aqueous electrolyte. From the results, the highest value of specific capacitance of ~101 $F{\cdot}g^{-1}$ is obtained for the samples carbonized at $600^{\circ}C$. Furthermore, pore size of samples control be low 7 nm through carbonization process. It is suggested that micropores significantly contribute to the specific capacitance, resulting from improved charge transfer.

• Carbon letters
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.131-136
• /
• 2010

Propellant waste was impregnated on the surface of activated carbon fiber and heat-treated at different temperature to introduce newly developed functional groups on the ACF surface. Functional groups of nitrogen and oxygen such as pyridine, pyridone, pyrrol, lacton and carboxyl were newly introduced on the surface of modified activated carbon fiber. The porosity, specific surface area, and morphology of those modified ACFs were changed as increasing the heat-treated temperature from 200 to $500^{\circ}C$. The optimum heat-treatment temperature was suggested to $500^{\circ}C$, because lower temperature given rise to the decrease of specific surface area and higher temperature resulted in the decrease of weight loss. Propellant waste can be used as an useful surface modifier to porous carbons.

• Carbon letters
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.114-122
• /
• 2009

Crushed, depitted peach stones were impregnated activated with 50% $H_3PO_4$ followed by pyrolysis at $500^{\circ}C$. Two activated carbons were produced, one under its own evolved gases during pyrolysis, and the second conducted with air flow throughout the carbonization stage. Physicochemical properties were investigated by several procedures; carbon yield, ash content, elemental chemical analysis, TG/DTG and FTIR spectra. Porosity characteristics were determined by the conventional $N_2$ adsorption at 77 K, and data analyzed to get the major texture parameters of surface area and pore volume. Highly developed activated carbons were obtained, essentially microporous, with slight effect of air on the porous structure. Oxygen was observed to be markedly incorporated in the carbon matrix during the air treatment process. Cation exchange capacity towards Cu (II) and Cd (II) was tested in batch single ion experimental mode, which proved to be slow and a function of carbon dose, time and initial ion concentration. Copper was up taken more favorably than cadmium, under same conditions, and adsorption of both cations was remarkably enhanced as a consequence of the air treatment procedure. Sequestration of the metal ions was explained on basis of the combined effect of the oxygen functional groups and the phosphorous-containing compounds; both contributing to the total surface acidity character.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.45-50
• /
• 2008

In this work, stainless steel mesh-supported activated carbons were prepared using phenolic resin and cellulose fiber. $ZnCl_2$ was used as a activation reagent in this work. $ZnCl_2$-chemical activation method has been proposed to produce highly porous activated carbons. The objectives of this work were to develop an optimal condition for manufacturing activated carbon assemblies screen from stainless steel mesh and phenolic resin. The iodine number was more increased over activation temperature of $450^{\circ}C$. Iodine number was 657 mg/g at activation temperature of $550^{\circ}C$, penolic resin concentration 20% and $ZnCl_2$ concentration 15%. Iodine number was 1359.4 mg/g when 10% cellulose added to these conditions.

• Clean Technology
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.325-331
• /
• 2021

In this study, bio-carbons were produced by activation process from unused biomass (Grade 3 wood pellet and spent coffee grounds) to determine the removal performance of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. The activation experiments were conducted in a fixed bed reactor using CO₂ as an activation agent. The temperature of the activation reactor and input of CO₂ were 900 ℃ and 1 L min^-1 for all the experiments. The maximum BET surface area of about 788 m² g^-1 was obtained for bio-carbon produced from Grade 1 wood pellet, whereas about 544 m² g^-1 was achieved with bio-carbon produced from spent coffee grounds. In all the experiments, the bio-carbons produced were mainly found to have micro-porous nature. A lower ash amount in raw material was favored for the high surface area of bio-carbons. In the removal test of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, the bio-carbon produced from spent coffee grounds showed excellent adsorption performance compared with woody biomass (Grade 1 wood pellet and Grade 3 wood pellet). In addition, the comparative experiment of commercial impregnated activated carbon and bio-carbon produced from spent coffee grounds was conducted. In terms of formaldehyde removal performance, the commercial impregnated bio-carbon was excellent, while bio-carbon produced from spent coffee grounds was excellent in acetaldehyde removal.

• Composites Research
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.394-401
• /
• 2022

Two polymer precursors, polyvinylidene chloride-resin (PVDC-resin) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), are assembled into the microporous carbon by pyrolysis. Microporous carbon is advantageous as an electrode for supercapacitors that store electric charges through ion adsorption/desorption. The pyrolysis also turns the various heteroatoms of two precursors into functional groups, contributing to the additional charge storage. The analysis of the porous structure and function group during carbonization are important to develop the carbon for energy storage. Here, we analyzed the functional groups of two polymer-derived carbons through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrochemical properties of the functional groups were explored in various pH electrolytes. The specific capacitance of two carbons in the acidic electrolyte (1 M H₂SO₄) was improved compared to that in the neutral electrolyte (0.5 M Na₂SO₄) due to the faradaic charge/discharge reaction of the quinone functional group. In particular, the carbon electrode derived from PVDC-resin exhibits a lower capacity than the carbon from PVDF due to the small micropores. In the alkaline electrolyte (6 M KOH), the highest specific capacitance and rate capability were obtained among the three electrolytes for both electrodes based on the facile adsorption of the constituent electrolyte ions (K⁺, OH^-).