Doped and Decorated Carbon Foams for Energy Applications

Abstract

Here, we summarize progress over the past 9 years in the development of a new class of template-free carbon foam derived from the foaming and pyrolysis of sodium alkoxides, and their use in energy-related applications. Carbon foams offer a unique platform for applications in catalysis, energy storage, gas adsorption and sensing. They can have large surface area, a variety of pore sizes, and high electrical conductivity. In addition, they can be decorated with a wide variety of different nanoparticles tailored to suit the application, or doped with various heteroatoms to modify the nature of the carbon itself. The carbon foams described here are synthesized from cheap sodium alkoxide or alcohol-based feedstocks and do not require sacrificial templating to achieve the porous structure. Instead, these carbon foams are formed by foaming during decomposition of the alkoxide precursors. Despite the extremely simple method of production and the low cost of the product, the material properties are impressive. For example, surface areas in the region of 2500 m2/g can be routinely achieved, with atomically thin carbon walls. Carbon foams produced in this manner have been applied as hydrogen storage materials, electrochemical sensors, materials for spintronics, electrodes for lithium-ion batteries, oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalysts, carbon dioxide conversion electrocatalysts and superhydrophobic materials. In this chapter, the development of carbon foams, nanoparticle decorated carbon foams, and heteroatom-doped carbon foams for these applications will be reviewed. Future prospects for this material will also be speculated upon.