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Polymerization under Hypersaline Conditions: A Robust Route to Phenolic Polymer‐Derived Carbon Aerogels
Author(s) -
Yu ZhiLong,
Li GuanCheng,
Fechler Nina,
Yang Ning,
Ma ZhiYuan,
Wang Xin,
Antonietti Markus,
Yu ShuHong
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201605510
Subject(s) - aerogel , polymerization , carbonization , polymer , monolith , chemical engineering , carbon fibers , materials science , monomer , mesoporous material , phenol , chemistry , organic chemistry , nanotechnology , adsorption , catalysis , composite material , composite number , engineering
Polymer‐derived carbon aerogels can be obtained by direct polymerization of monomers under hypersaline conditions using inorganic salts. This allows for significantly increased mechanical robustness and avoiding special drying processes. This concept was realized by conducting the polymerization of phenol–formaldehyde (PF) in the presence of ZnCl 2 salt. Afterwards, the simultaneous carbonization and foaming process conveniently converts the PF monolith into a foam‐like carbon aerogel. ZnCl 2 plays a key role, serving as dehydration agent, foaming agent, and porogen. The carbon aerogels thus obtained are of very low density (25 mg cm −3 ), high specific surface area (1340 m 2 g −1 ), and have a large micro‐ and mesopore volume (0.75 cm 3 g −1 ). The carbon aerogels show very promising potential in the separation/extraction of organic pollutants and for energy storage.