Surface Properties of Carbon

Abstract

Abstract Carbon surface chemistry is relatively new as an independent subject of inquiry, and, judging by the volume of publications, is receiving increasing attention throughout the world. Our conception of carbon black and its functional behavior has changed significantly since the pioneering publication by Studebaker in 1957. Within the last few years there have been a number of excellent reviews covering various aspects of carbon chemistry by authors who are presently active in this field. Donnet, Puri, and Boehm discuss reactions of carbon and the characterization of surface functional groups while van der Plas is particularly thorough on the subject of adsorption properties and porosity. Deviney explores the relationship between surface chemistry and carbon-elastomer interactions, as does Studebaker from the point of view of the practical application of carbon black in rubber. Current monographs containing useful background information are collected in “Les Carbones” and in Walker's continuing series, “Chemistry and Physics of Carbon”. This review will describe how information from diverse sources has contributed to our understanding of the surface reactivity and fundamental adsorption behavior of carbon. It will be shown that most properties of carbon blacks are consistent with a surface structure wherein large deformed basal layers conforming to the topography of the surface are composed of several planar aromatic domains with functional groups at edge and defect sites. Examples of strong molecular interactions are given which involve specific reaction with the basal surface, individual functional groups, or a combination of both.