Abstract
In the present study, carbon black activated by CO2 gas was examined through XRD analysis, especially with regard to changes in its structural parameters. Based on the results, its activation process was thoroughly analyzed. The activation process was controlled by isothermally activating the carbon black inside a reaction tube through which CO2 gas flowed. With this approach, the degree of activation was varied as desired. At an early stage of the activation process, the amorphous fraction on the carbon black surface was preferentially activated, and later the less-developed crystalline carbon (LDCC) region inside the carbon black particles started to be activated. The latter process was attributable to the formation of pores inside the carbon black particles. As the activation process proceeded further, the more-developed crystalline carbon (MDCC) region started to be activated, thereby causing the pores inside the carbon black particles to grow larger. At the last stage of the activation process, La was found to be decreased to about 40 Å. This implied that the edges of the graphite crystals had been activated, thus causing the internal pores to grow and coalesce into larger pores. Activated conductive Super-P with enhanced pore properties is expected to have wide applications.
Highlights
Carbon-based materials, such as coal, charcoal, carbon black, carbon fiber, and graphite, have various structures ranging from amorphous to crystalline, with a high degree of graphitization and crystallinity
Heat treatment may lead to structural changes, and this knowledge helps us better understand a wide range of heat treatment processes, such as carbonization, graphitizing, stabilization, and activation
Regions, which constituted carbon black particles, were measured using XRD methods to obtain an analytical interpretation of the activation process of carbon black
Summary
Carbon-based materials, such as coal, charcoal, carbon black, carbon fiber, and graphite, have various structures ranging from amorphous to crystalline, with a high degree of graphitization and crystallinity. Other structural analyses of less graphitizable carbon materials reported that d002 ranged from 3.5 to 5.0 Å, larger than that of highly graphitizable carbon materials, and that Lc and La were very small [1,2] This structural distinction was reportedly attributed to the use of different starting materials or heat treatment processes. At the intermediate and later stages of activation, pores with a diameter of 5 nm or greater were formed, and the total volume of pores markedly increased This was considered to be because the pores present inside the primary particles of the carbon black grew and coalesced into larger ones. Regions, which constituted carbon black particles, were measured using XRD methods to obtain an analytical interpretation of the activation process of carbon black
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
