High resolution XPS characterization of chemical functionalised MWCNTs and SWCNTs

High resolution XPS analysis of chemical functionalised multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) was done with ESCA300 (overall instrument resolution of 0.35 eV). Information to the degree of functionalisation was ascertained by argon ion bombardment of the samples followed by XPS analysis to detect the functional groups, the percentage atomic concentration of various elements present and whether or not the detected functional groups imposed a chemical shift on the CNT atoms. The results show that true chemical functionalisation was achieved and by argon ion bombardment these functional groups can be altered relative to the C 1s carbon atoms of the CNT. The choice of chemicals used for functionalisation, the techniques employed and the types of nanotubes treated are important factors in chemical characterisation. The carbon atom on the nanotube ring to which the functional group (atom) is bonded, the chirality of the CNT, the electronegativity of the functional group, the bond type and whether the CNT is single-wall or multi-wall, or cut (short) could play a role in determining the chemical shift on the CNTs atoms. These investigations are relevant to chemical functionalisation of carbon nanotubes for various applications for example DNA sensors and other biomedical sensors.     

Kinetics of the methanation of carbon dioxide over a supported Ni-La2O3 catalyst

The kinetics of the methanation of carbon dioxide was investigated using an alumina supported Ni-La₂O₂ catalyst in a differential and integral reactor. In the differential reactor the molar ratio of H₂ to CO₂ was varied from 0.6 to 30. In the integral reactor the rates were measured with up to 90% conversion. Both reactor tests were carried out at temperatures between 513 and 593 K. The experimental results were described by a Langmuir-Hinshelwood type equation. The kinetics can be explained by assuming equilibrium of dissociative carbon dioxide and hydrogen adsorption, and assuming hydrogenation of surface carbon as the rate determining step.     

Carbon Aerogels as Electrode Material in Supercapacitors

Due to their large specific surface area and their high electrical conductivity carbon aerogels are promising materials for electrodes in electrochemical double-layer capacitors (supercapacitor). The carbon aerogels were made via pyrolysis of resorcinol formaldehyde aerogels. The latter were prepared by supercritical and subcritical drying as well. The important findings of our investigation were, that the highest capacities of 46 F/cm³ were measured for samples with a density of about 800 kg/m³ pyrolyzed at 800°C. Also it was shown that RF-gels with molar resorcinol/catalyst ratios 1000 or higher can be dried subcritically without cracking or significant shrinkage. Carbon aerogels derived from these RF-aerogels have a small mesopore surface area, however an especially large micropore area. They provide electrical capacities which are most suitable for their use in supercapacitors.     

PVA-based activated carbon fibers with lotus root-like axially porous structure

A novel method was developed for the fabrication of activated carbon fiber (ACF) with wet spinning polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers as the precursors. Through a combination of preoxidation, dehydration, carbonization and activation under a certain tension, PVA-based ACFs (PVA-ACFs) with high yields and good mechanical properties were obtained. The surface and cross-section morphologies, pore structures, surface geometries, surface functional groups and crystal structures of the PVA-ACFs were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy, low temperature nitrogen adsorption, Fourier transformed infrared spectrophotometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray power diffraction. All the PVA-ACF samples prepared had lotus root-like axially meso- and macroporous structures with the domination of micropores. Fractal geometries of PVA-ACFs deduced from nitrogen adsorption isotherms indicates that capillary force dominated in the interactions between nitrogen and the PVA-ACFs. The surface functional groups of the PVA-ACFs depend on the activating agents. Graphitoidal crystal structures were observed for the PVA-ACFs. The small crystal size and short range ordering between the crystallites ensured a high specific surface area of the PVA-ACFs.     

Carbonaceous adsorbents from sewage sludge and their application in a combined activated sludge-powdered activated carbon (AS-PAC) treatment

In this study, waste biological sludge is converted to an adsorbent by chemical activation with sulphuric acid. The adsorbent obtained is then applied to the aerated vessel of an activated sludge process treating glucose and phenol to improve the quality of the treated effluent. The sludge-based carbonaceous adsorbent was found to be mesoporous in nature, with a good adsorption capacity for large molecular weight compounds and limited removal efficiency for smaller molecules such as phenol. The addition of carbon, either sludge-based or commercial, enhanced phenol removal from 58% to 98.7% and from 87% to 93% the organic matter removal as measured by the chemical oxygen demand (COD) when operated with feed concentrations of 100 mg phenol/l and 2500 mg COD/l. No differences were found between the activated sludge-activated carbon bench scale continuous reactors operating with either commercial or sludge-based adsorbents in spite of the higher adsorption capacity of the former. It is suggested that powdered adsorbent bioregeneration in the combined AS-PAC system may be impaired by the obstruction of pores due to bacterial growth, the effect being more important for the commercial activated carbon with a narrower pore size distribution.     

炭黑填充硬聚氯乙烯的改性

为使聚氯乙烯具有抗静电性能,采用加入具有导电性填料的方法,但加入大量的填料,会使硬聚氯乙烯的冲击性能降低,加工性能变差。本文是在以炭黑为填料的基础上,研究不同的改性剂和加工助剂改进硬聚氯乙烯的效果,结果表明,加入冲击改性剂和加工助剂后,大大增加了硬聚氯乙烯的冲击强度,且加工性能也得到改善,同时由于炭黑具有补强效果,其拉伸强度和弯曲强度在加入改性剂后也能满足使用要求。     

炭分子筛概述

阐述了炭分子筛分离的原理，并分别从其制备原料、制备方法、产品用途等方面综述了近年来炭分子筛的新进展。     

改性活性炭的表面特性及其对苯酚的吸附性能

研究了表面改性对活性炭吸附苯酚性能的影响。研究发现,硫酸氧化可增加活性炭表面酸性基团的含量,提高了活性炭的表面亲水性,降低pHPZC值,因而对吸附水中的苯酚的性能产生明显影响,降低了对苯酚的吸附。     

Morphologies and microstructures of tree-like carbon produced at different reaction conditions in a CVD process

Centimeter-size multi-branched tree-like carbon structures have been generated by the catalytic chemical vapor deposition of toluene using ferrocene as the catalyst precursor and investigated by means of SEM, TEM, and EDX. It is found that a temperature of 1000-1200 °C and a carrier gas flow rate of 1000-2500 ml/min are necessary for the generation of the carbon trees. Their morphologies and microstructures change greatly with the changing reaction conditions. The fractal dimensions of the trees are calculated to quantitatively investigate the influence of different reaction temperatures on the morphologies.     

改良MEA脱碳技术在小氮厂变换气脱碳中的应用

介绍了改良MEA脱碳技术的基本原理、工艺特点以及在工业中的应用情况，实践表明，改良MEA提高了溶液的吸收能力，降低了再生热耗，解决了MEA易降解损耗等问题。