Study on improving the high-temperature oxidation resistance of pyrolytic carbons of phenolic resin binder by in-situ formation of carbon nanotubes

Abstract

In order to improve the high-temperature oxidation resistance of the traditional phenolic resin binder, nickel nitrate was added into the phenolic resin as the catalyst precursor, while carbon nanotubes (CNTs) could be in-situ formed inside the pyrolytic carbons during the pyrolysis process. The influence of pyrolysis temperatures on the formation of CNTs in pyrolytic carbons was investigated. The results showed that CNTs with the diameter of 20–40 nm were formed in pyrolytic carbons, while the nickel nitrate and the gases released through the pyrolysis of phenolic resin were respectively served as the catalyst and the carbon sources. Meanwhile, the increased temperature could promote the formation of the CNTs, and further improve the graphitization degree and the high-temperature oxidation resistance of the pyrolytic carbons. The high-temperature oxidation resistance of corundum graphite composite materials could be effectively improved by using phenolic resin with nickel nitrate as the binder, which demonstrates it to be a promising binder for high-temperature application.