Preparation of a Photosensitive Composite Carbon Fiber for Spilled Oil Cleaning

This paper deals with preparing a functional composite carbon fiber with a large surface area for spilled oil cleaning. The composite fiber consisted of photosensitive oxide particles and polymer-derived carbon. It was made by co-spinning the polymer and metallic compounds. After heat treatment at high temperatures, an activated carbon fiber containing oxide particles was obtained. The particles were found distributed in the fiber and at the surface of the fiber. The composite fiber was found sensitive to sunlight. Fiber mats made of the composite fiber possessed a high surface area for oil absorption and removal. Cobalt(II) titanate particles were obtained from the reaction of titanium dioxide and cobalt oxide. The reaction happened in situ through the hydrolysis of metallic compounds in the spun fiber. The titanium dioxide and cobalt(II) titanate particle-containing fibers demonstrated the photoactivity in the visible light spectrum. It was concluded that particle-containing composite carbon fiber mats can be prepared successfully by co-electrospinning. Due to the oleophilic property and the high active surface area, the composites are suitable for spilled oil cleaning through fast absorption.

Porous metal electrodes enable efficient electrolysis of carbon capture solutions

Bicarbonate electrolysers convert carbon capture solutions into chemicals and fuels and bypass the need for energy-intensive CO2 recovery. Porous metal electrodes are more effective than composite carbon electrodes for this type of electrolyser.

Electromagnetic response from composite carbon-containing structures with technological inhomogeneities at EHF

The results of studies of the electromagnetic response from composite structures made of a carbon-containing polymer with the inclusion of spherical pores in the bulk of the material and with pyramidal corrugation on the surface of the material are presented. The results of modeling the frequency dependences of the transmission, reflection and absorption coefficients in the EHF range are shown. Samples of composite carbon-containing structures with technological inhomogeneities have been fabricated by 3D printing. Measurements of the electromagnetic response from experimental samples were carried out in the frequency range from 100 to 1000 GHz. At frequencies up to 250 GHz, the inclusion of air pores in the polymer volume reduces the transmission coefficient, practically does not affect the reflection, and increases the absorption. Pyramid corrugated material absorbs more than 99% of radiation in the frequency range from 200 to 635 GHz.

Polyetheretherketone Composites with Appreted Carbon Fibers

The paper investigates the processes of carbon fiber surface treatment and their influence on the properties of polyetheretherketone composites. It has been shown that preliminary thermal activation of carbon fiber followed by treatment with a dressing agent - polyhydroxyether makes it possible to create polyetheretherketone composite carbon-filled materials with an increased level of physical and mechanical properties.

Composite Carbon Foams as an Alternative to the Conventional Biomass-Derived Activated Carbon in Catalytic Application

The suitability of a new type of polyurethane-based composite carbon foam for several possible usages is evaluated and reported. A comparison of the properties of the as-prepared carbon foams was performed with widely available commercial biomass-derived activated carbon. Carbon foams were synthesized from polyurethane foams with different graphite contents through one-step activation using CO2. In this work, a carbon catalyst was synthesized with a moderately active surface (SBET = 554 m2/g), a thermal conductivity of 0.09 W/mK, and a minimum metal ion content of 0.2 wt%, which can be recommended for phosgene production. The composite carbon foams exhibited better thermal stability, as there is a very little weight loss at temperatures below 500 °C, and weight loss is slower at temperatures above 500 °C (phosgene synthesis: 550–700 °C). Owing to the good surface and thermal properties and the negligible metallic impurities, composite carbon foam produced from polyurethane foams are the best alternative to the conventional coconut-based activated carbon catalyst used in phosgene gas production.