Synthesis and properties of phloroglucinol-phenol-formaldehyde carbon aerogels and xerogels.
Carbon aerogels and xerogels were successfully prepared from phloroglucinol-phenol mixtures and characterized by different techniques to determine their potential. We examined the influence of the phloroglucinol/phenol ratio, reactant concentration, cure conditions, and drying method on the morphology and porosity of the samples. The gelation time was found to be independent of the phloroglucinol/phenol ratio in spite of the different reactivities of both monomers. In general, carbon aerogels have a high volume of mesopores and of micropores without diffusion restrictions. Carbon xerogels are denser materials without mesopores but with a well-developed microporosity that shows a strong molecular sieve effect. Therefore, while micro-/mesoporous carbon aerogels can be used as catalyst supports or VOC adsorbents, the microporous carbon xerogel could offer high selectivity in the separation of small molecules from gaseous mixtures.
Jirglová
Hana
H
Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
Pérez-Cadenas
Agustín F
AF
Maldonado-Hódar
Francisco J
FJ