Electrosorption of NaCl solution by phenolic-furfural based carbon aerogels

Abstract

Electrosorption of NaCl aqueous solution by phenolic-furfural based carbon aerogel (CA) was performed in a static electrosorption apparatus by applying an electric potential via a potentiostat. The effect of NaCl concentration, thickness of CA electrode and applied potential on the electrosorption capacity of the CA was investigated. It was found that electrosorption capacity increased with increasing NaCl concentration with an obvious electric field overlapping effect observed in small pores at low concentration. With increasing electric potential from 0.6-2.0V, electrosorption capacity increased dramatically below 1.5V then leveled off above 1.5V. With increasing CA electrode thickness from 0.5-1.5mm, the electrosorption capacity decreased monotonically as a result of the electric field distribution along the width of the electrode. The maximum electrosorption capacity of CA was 12.7mg/g at a potential of 1.2V and an electrode thickness of 0.5mm. A high performance electrode for electrosorption should have a large amount of mesopores and be as thin as possible.