ABSTRACT
I. Introduction 42
II. Carbons: Types, Classification, Precursors, and Preparation 45 A. Types of Carbon Solids 45 B. Precursors 77 C. Manufacture of Porous Carbons: A Molecular Perspective 81
III. Experimental Information 96 A. Diffraction Techniques 98 B. High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy 108 C. Gas Adsorption 118 D. Surface Chemistry 128
IV. Molecular Models 137 A. Regular Carbons: Carbon Nanotubes 139 B. Disordered Carbons 146 C. Modeling Carbonization and Physical Activation 193
V. Conclusions 198
References 199
The widespread interest in porous carbons stems from their high surface activity, arising from strong adsorbate-carbon forces and large surface area. This activity leads to high adsorption capacity and selectivity in mixture separation. In addition, such carbons are relatively cheap to produce, and can be prepared with a range of pore sizes. The strong surface forces in carbons are due to the high surface density of carbon atoms. In graphite, the C-C distance is only 0.142 nm, much less than the van der Waals radius of carbon, which is about 0.335 nm. The short C-C distance, a result of the strong covalent sp2 bonding in graphite, leads to a surface density of about 38.2 carbon atoms/nm2.
