Michal Kruk

Bio: Michal Kruk is an academic researcher from City University of New York. The author has contributed to research in topics: Mesoporous material & Adsorption. The author has an hindex of 52, co-authored 118 publications receiving 13114 citations. Previous affiliations of Michal Kruk include Kent State University & Chungnam National University.

Gas adsorption characterization of ordered organic-inorganic nanocomposite materials

Abstract: A critical review of adsorption methods that are currently used in the characterization of ordered organic−inorganic nanocomposite materials is presented, and the adsorption methodology that is potentially useful for this characterization, but has not yet been applied, is discussed. The ordered organic−inorganic nanocomposites include surface-functionalized ordered mesoporous materials (OMMs) with siliceous frameworks (synthesized either via postsynthesis surface modification or via direct co-condensation method), periodic mesoporous organosilicas, and surfactant-containing OMMs. This review covers the methods for determination of the specific surface area and pore volume. The available methods for mesopore size analysis are critically compared and evaluated, with special emphasis on the recent developments related to the application of advanced computational methods for studying adsorption in porous media and to the direct modeling of adsorption using highly ordered surface-functionalized OMMs as model a...

Ordered mesoporous carbons

Abstract: Ordered mesoporous carbons have recently been synthesized using ordered mesoporous silica templates. The synthesis procedure involves infiltration of the pores of the template with appropriate carbon precursor, its carbonization, and subsequent template removal. The template needs to exhibit three-dimensional pore structure in order to be suitable for the ordered mesoporous carbon synthesis, otherwise disordered microporous carbon is formed. MCM-48, SBA-1, and SBA-15 silicas were successfully used to synthesize carbons with cubic or hexagonal frameworks, narrow mesopore size distributions, high nitrogen Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface areas (up to 1800 m2 g–1), and large pore volumes. Ordered mesoporous carbons are promising in many applications, including adsorption of large molecules, chromatography, and manufacturing of electrochemical double-layer capacitors.

Characterization of the Porous Structure of SBA-15

Abstract: SBA-15 ordered mesoporous silicas were synthesized using the method reported by Zhao et al. The structures of these materials were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and nitrogen adsorption. The samples were found to exhibit structural properties similar to those reported earlier. Our study confirmed that the size of primary mesopores of SBA-15 can be tailored by the choice of synthesis temperature and that SBA-15 exhibits a significant amount of disordered micropores and small mesopores. The volume and size of these complementary pores were found to be dependent to some extent on the synthesis/aging temperature. It was shown that the washing of as-synthesized SBA-15 in water or ethanol was accompanied by an appreciable structural shrinkage and led to the removal of a significant part of the polymeric template. Therefore, washing needs to be avoided if one wants to isolate SBA-15 without appreciable loss of the template. It was confirmed that water-washed...

Block-Copolymer-Templated Ordered Mesoporous Silica: Array of Uniform Mesopores or Mesopore−Micropore Network?

Abstract: Microporosity and connectivity of ordered mesopores of SBA-15 silica were studied using nitrogen adsorption and novel methods based on selective pore blocking via organosilane modification, and on the imaging of inverse platinum replica of ordered mesoporous structure. It was found that SBA-15 exhibits a relation between the pore size, pore volume and specific surface area which is significantly different from that for cylindrical or hexagonal pores, which suggests that the SBA-15 structure is more complex than an array of hexagonally ordered channels, even if they are corrugated. Nitrogen and argon adsorption measurements provided evidence that large mesopores are accompanied by a certain amount of significantly smaller pores (of the size below about 3.4 nm) with a broad distribution primarily in the micropore/small-mesopore range. The modification of SBA-15 via chemical bonding of small trimethylsilyl ligands partially blocked the complementary pores, and the bonding of larger octyldimethylsilyl groups ...

Standard Nitrogen Adsorption Data for Characterization of Nanoporous Silicas

Abstract: The nitrogen adsorption isotherm measured at 77 K in the relative pressure range from about 5 × 10-7 to 0.988 for a macroporous silica is reported in a tabular form. The isotherm data are in good agreement in the high-pressure range with the reference data published by Gregg and Sing and by Kiselev and Aristov and provide an extension of the latter data to the low-pressure region, for which a reliable reference isotherm was not availalable in the literature. Application of the currently reported reference adsorption isotherm is discussed. The data can be used in comparative analysis (αs-plot or t-plot) to evaluate the external surface area, micropore volume, primary mesopore volume, and total surface area as well as to analyze surface properties of silica-based materials. The adsorption isotherm can also be applied as a statistical film thickness curve in the calculation of the mesopore size distribution.

A highly ordered nanostructured carbon–sulphur cathode for lithium–sulphur batteries

Abstract: The Li-S battery has been under intense scrutiny for over two decades, as it offers the possibility of high gravimetric capacities and theoretical energy densities ranging up to a factor of five beyond conventional Li-ion systems. Herein, we report the feasibility to approach such capacities by creating highly ordered interwoven composites. The conductive mesoporous carbon framework precisely constrains sulphur nanofiller growth within its channels and generates essential electrical contact to the insulating sulphur. The structure provides access to Li+ ingress/egress for reactivity with the sulphur, and we speculate that the kinetic inhibition to diffusion within the framework and the sorption properties of the carbon aid in trapping the polysulphides formed during redox. Polymer modification of the carbon surface further provides a chemical gradient that retards diffusion of these large anions out of the electrode, thus facilitating more complete reaction. Reversible capacities up to 1,320 mA h g(-1) are attained. The assembly process is simple and broadly applicable, conceptually providing new opportunities for materials scientists for tailored design that can be extended to many different electrode materials.

Gas adsorption characterization of ordered organic-inorganic nanocomposite materials

Abstract: A critical review of adsorption methods that are currently used in the characterization of ordered organic−inorganic nanocomposite materials is presented, and the adsorption methodology that is potentially useful for this characterization, but has not yet been applied, is discussed. The ordered organic−inorganic nanocomposites include surface-functionalized ordered mesoporous materials (OMMs) with siliceous frameworks (synthesized either via postsynthesis surface modification or via direct co-condensation method), periodic mesoporous organosilicas, and surfactant-containing OMMs. This review covers the methods for determination of the specific surface area and pore volume. The available methods for mesopore size analysis are critically compared and evaluated, with special emphasis on the recent developments related to the application of advanced computational methods for studying adsorption in porous media and to the direct modeling of adsorption using highly ordered surface-functionalized OMMs as model a...

Silica-based mesoporous organic-inorganic hybrid materials.

Abstract: Mesoporous organic-inorganic hybrid materials, a new class of materials characterized by large specific surface areas and pore sizes between 2 and 15 nm, have been obtained through the coupling of inorganic and organic components by template synthesis. The incorporation of functionalities can be achieved in three ways: by subsequent attachment of organic components onto a pure silica matrix (grafting), by simultaneous reaction of condensable inorganic silica species and silylated organic compounds (co-condensation, one-pot synthesis), and by the use of bissilylated organic precursors that lead to periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs). This Review gives an overview of the preparation, properties, and potential applications of these materials in the areas of catalysis, sorption, chromatography, and the construction of systems for controlled release of active compounds, as well as molecular switches, with the main focus being on PMOs.

Graphitic carbon nitride materials: variation of structure and morphology and their use as metal-free catalysts

Abstract: Graphitic carbon nitride, g-C3N4, can be made by polymerization of cyanamide, dicyandiamide or melamine. Depending on reaction conditions, different materials with different degrees of condensation, properties and reactivities are obtained. The firstly formed polymeric C3N4 structure, melon, with pendant amino groups, is a highly ordered polymer. Further reaction leads to more condensed and less defective C3N4 species, based on tri-s-triazine (C6N7) units as elementary building blocks. High resolution transmission electron microscopy proves the extended two-dimensional character of the condensation motif. Due to the polymerization-type synthesis from a liquid precursor, a variety of material nanostructures such as nanoparticles or mesoporous powders can be accessed. Those nanostructures also allow fine tuning of properties, the ability for intercalation, as well as the possibility to give surface-rich materials for heterogeneous reactions. Due to the special semiconductor properties of carbon nitrides, they show unexpected catalytic activity for a variety of reactions, such as for the activation of benzene, trimerization reactions, and also the activation of carbon dioxide. Model calculations are presented to explain this unusual case of heterogeneous, metal-free catalysis. Carbon nitride can also act as a heterogeneous reactant, and a new family of metal nitride nanostructures can be accessed from the corresponding oxides.

Carbon Materials for Chemical Capacitive Energy Storage

Abstract: Carbon materials have attracted intense interests as electrode materials for electrochemical capacitors, because of their high surface area, electrical conductivity, chemical stability and low cost. Activated carbons produced by different activation processes from various precursors are the most widely used electrodes. Recently, with the rapid growth of nanotechnology, nanostructured electrode materials, such as carbon nanotubes and template-synthesized porous carbons have been developed. Their unique electrical properties and well controlled pore sizes and structures facilitate fast ion and electron transportation. In order to further improve the power and energy densities of the capacitors, carbon-based composites combining electrical double layer capacitors (EDLC)-capacitance and pseudo-capacitance have been explored. They show not only enhanced capacitance, but as well good cyclability. In this review, recent progresses on carbon-based electrode materials are summarized, including activated carbons, carbon nanotubes, and template-synthesized porous carbons, in particular mesoporous carbons. Their advantages and disadvantages as electrochemical capacitors are discussed. At the end of this review, the future trends of electrochemical capacitors with high energy and power are proposed.