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Preparation and Characterization of Aerogel-Based Carbon Nanocomposites

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2011

Wanqing Cao ,
Xian Yun Song  and
Arlon J. Hunt
Wanqing Cao
Affiliation:
Energy and Environment Division, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
Xian Yun Song
Affiliation:
Energy and Environment Division, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
Arlon J. Hunt
Affiliation:
Energy and Environment Division, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
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Abstract

Aerogels are highly porous solids prepared by sol-gel processing and supercritical evacuation. Because of their high surface area, aerogels can be used as an effective catalyst for the thermal decomposition of many gaseous compounds. A variety of hydrocarbon gases have been chosen to deposit carbon in the aerogel matrix, with the deposition temperature varying from 500° to 850°C depending on the hydrocarbon used. The amount of carbon that can be deposited in the aerogel is surprisingly large, reaching up to 10 times the original weight after extensive deposition using acetylene. Overall, the aerogel composites prepared have a uniform microstructure with the average particle size in the nanometer range. In addition, we have observed some interesting graphitic structures including carbon nanotubes and rings of various shapes. Carbon deposited in the aerogel can reduce infrared transmission of the material as well as volume shrinkage at elevated temperatures, thereby improving its thermal performance.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 349: Symposium T – Novel Forms of Carbon II , 1994 , 87
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1994

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