Open AccessPreparation of 2D Carbon Materials by Chemical Carbonization of Cellulosic Materials to Avoid Thermal Decomposition
Author(s) -
Kyotani Mutsumasa,
Hiratani Kazuhisa,
Okada Tatsuhiro,
Matsushita Satoshi,
Akagi Kazuo
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
global challenges
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2056-6646
DOI - 10.1002/gch2.201700061
Subject(s) - carbonization , cellulosic ethanol , cellulose , materials science , carbon fibers , pyrolysis , thermal decomposition , chemical engineering , porosity , decomposition , carbon black , composite material , organic chemistry , chemistry , scanning electron microscope , natural rubber , composite number , engineering
Cellulosic materials, including regenerated cellulose, are promising precursors for a variety of carbon materials. However, thermal decomposition, typically accompanying carbonization at high temperatures, hinders cellulosic materials from being efficiently carbonized (i.e., very low carbon yields). Herein, this study presents a new and efficient method for the preparation of porous 2D carbon materials from sheet‐like cellulosic materials, such as papers and fabrics, involving a catalyzed chemical reaction at high temperatures without thermal decomposition. Thus, cellulosic materials are treated with sulfonic acid solutions and significantly dehydrated at high temperatures via evaporation of water. As a result, black materials are obtained at a weight near the theoretical carbon content of cellulose and remain in the carbonized materials. The as‐obtained porous 2D carbon materials are flexible and suitable for a wide range of applications such as in electrodes and gas absorbents.