Synthesis of reduced graphene oxide/phenolic resin-based carbon composite ultrafine fibers and their adsorption performance for volatile organic compounds and water

Abstract

Reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/carbon composite ultrafine fibers were prepared from resole-type phenolic resin and graphene oxide (GO) by electrospinning and subsequent carbonization, and their adsorption performance for water and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was evaluated. SEM images showed that RGO/carbon composite fibers exhibited consecutive fibrous structure. Nitrogen adsorption measurements showed that the specific surface area and pore volume of RGO/carbon composite fibers were slightly lower than the case of pristine carbon fibers owing to the constraint of RGO. Water contact angles and adsorption isotherms suggested that improved hydrophobicity was observed with RGO/carbon composite fibers due to embedded RGO with more sp2 carbon atoms. Consequently, VOC and water adsorption isotherms suggested that RGO/carbon composite fibers had a higher adsorption tendency for VOCs over water.