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Synthesis of ultrafine carbon cryogel microspheres using a homogenizer
Author(s) -
Soottitantawat Apinan,
Yamamoto Takuji,
Endo Akira,
Ohmori Takao,
Nakaiwa Masaru
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
aiche journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.958
H-Index - 167
eISSN - 1547-5905
pISSN - 0001-1541
DOI - 10.1002/aic.11053
Subject(s) - homogenizer , emulsion , emulsion polymerization , materials science , chemical engineering , microsphere , solvent , mesoporous material , aqueous solution , pyrolysis , polymerization , particle size , chemistry , chromatography , composite material , organic chemistry , catalysis , engineering , polymer
Ultrafine carbon cryogel (UCC) microspheres of diameter <5 μm with desirable mesopores were successfully synthesized using a homogenizer during the inverse emulsion polymerization of a resorcinol–formaldehyde (RF) aqueous solution in an organic solvent as a continuous phase (CP) containing nonionic surfactant, SPAN80 as an emulsifier, followed by solvent exchange, freeze‐drying, and pyrolysis in an Ar atmosphere. The curing time of RF solution before emulsification is a significant factor in controlling the size of the microspheres without changing their porosity. Both the mesoporosity and the size of the microspheres decreased on increasing SPAN80 and RF solution concentration in an inverse emulsion, which showed the possibility of controlling the mesoporosity and the size of the UCC microspheres. Furthermore, hexane could also be used as the continuous phase in the emulsion polymerization. The mean diameter of the UCC microspheres increased and their mesopore volume decreased with increasing pyrolysis temperature. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2007