Carbon letters 

About: Carbon letters is an academic journal published by Springer Science+Business Media. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Adsorption & Chemistry. It has an ISSN identifier of 1976-4251. Over the lifetime, 1173 publications have been published receiving 11180 citations.

Carbon nanotubes-properties and applications: a review

Abstract: The carbon nanotube (CNT) represents one of the most unique inventions in the field of nan - otechnology. CNTs have been studied closely over the last two decades by many researchers around the world due to their great potential in different fields. CNTs are rolled graphene with SP 2 hybridization. The important aspects of CNTs are their light weight, small size with a high aspect ratio, good tensile strength, and good conducting characteristics, which make them useful as fillers in different materials such as polymers, metallic surfaces and ceramics. CNTs also have potential applications in the field of nanotechnology, nanomedicine, tran - sistors, actuators, sensors, membranes, and capacitors. There are various techniques which can be used for the synthesis of CNTs. These include the arc-discharge method, chemical vaporize deposition (CVD), the laser ablation method, and the sol gel method. CNTs can be single-walled, double-walled and multi-walled. CNTs have unique mechanical, electrical and optical properties, all of which have been extensively studied. The present review is focused on the synthesis, functionalization, properties and applications of CNTs. The toxic effect of CNTs is also presented in a summarized form.

Potassium hydroxide activation of activated carbon: a commentary

Abstract: Copyright © Korean Carbon Society http://carbonlett.org Over the years, the furnace has been used as a common heating method to manufacture activated carbon. In a furnace, heat is transferred through conduction and convection. The outer surface of the sample is in contact with the generated heat, which slowly diffuses inwards as a result of the thermal gradient between the surface and the core of the material’s particles. Another method of heating employs microwave irradiation. Even though it is less energyand time-consuming, the microwave method has several critical issues with respect to temperature control and thermal runaway, especially in the scaling-up of the microwave heating process [1]. Generally, the activation of a carbonaceous precursor can be performed through physical (steam, air or CO2) or chemical activation (activators such as ZnCl2, KOH, etc.) or a combination of both. The chemical activation is normally preferable over physical activation since it is a faster process with a lower activation temperature. Moreover, the activated carbon produced via chemical activation usually possesses high specific surface area (as determined by the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, BET method), good pore development and high carbon yield [2,3]. In recent years, potassium salts such as KOH and K2CO3 have been widely used in the manufacture of low cost activated carbon. It has been found that activated carbon prepared by KOH activation is highly microporous when compared to that produced through ZnCl2 or H3PO4 activation [4-6]. Besides, KOH also enhances the specific surface area and the formation of—OH functional groups on the carbon surface [7]. Over the past 5 years, many advantages of KOH activation have been revealed in the literature [8]. However, the adverse drawbacks of employing KOH have been overlooked in many of the published studies. In this paper, the preparation of activated carbon by KOH activation using conventional heating is reviewed and discussed. The limitations and implications of using KOH in the activation process are highlighted. The selection of appropriate potassium salts for activated carbon preparation is also recommended. The physical preparation of activated carbon is comprised of two major processes, namely, carbonization and activation of the carbonized sample [4]. Chemical activation is a single step process, as both carbonization and activation occur simultaneously at temperatures ranging between 400oC and 700oC, which is lower than that of physical activation [9]. However, in some cases, additional carbonization or a pre-carbonization step is performed to produce char prior to chemical impregnation and activation [5,4,10-13]. Thus, potassium hydroxide activation can be achieved through either direct chemical activation or char-impregnated chemical activation. In direct chemical activation, a selected carbonaceous precursor is first dried overnight to remove moisture and then chemically treated at a desired impregnation ratio (weight of KOH over weight of precursor). The impregnated solid is then heated in a furnace at a specified temperature and time. Carbonization of the precursor is often omitted when the impregnated solid is already suitable for activation. Table 1 exhibits recently developed activated carbon preparation methods using various precursors and KOH activation with conventional heating. From Table 1, it can be seen that DOI: http://dx.doi.org/ DOI:10.5714/CL.2015.16.4.275

Carbon nanotubes: synthesis, properties and engineering applications

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes (CNT) represent one of the most unique materials in the field of nanotechnology. CNT are the allotrope of carbon having sp2 hybridization. CNT are considered to be rolled-up graphene with a nanostructure that can have a length to diameter ratio greater than 1,000,000. CNT can be single-, double-, and multi-walled. CNT have unique mechanical, electrical, and optical properties, all of which have been extensively studied. The novel properties of CNT are their light weight, small size with a high aspect ratio, good tensile strength, and good conducting characteristics, which make them useful for various applications. The present review is focused on the structure, properties, toxicity, synthesis methods, growth mechanism and their applications. Techniques that have been developed to synthesize CNT in sizeable quantities, including arc discharge, laser ablation, chemical vapor deposition, etc., have been explained. The toxic effect of CNT is also presented in a summarized form. Recent CNT applications showing a very promising glimpse into the future of CNT in nanotechnology such as optics, electronics, sensing, mechanical, electrical, storage, and other fields of materials science are presented in the review.

A review on the mechanical properties of polymer composites reinforced by carbon nanotubes and graphene

Abstract: Compared to carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene possesses high strength due to wrinkled surface texture caused by a high density of surface defects which benefits more contact with the polymer material than a rolled-up CNT. In the present review, we have discussed and compared the various properties of CNTs (1-D) and graphene (2-D) obtained in experimental results. The effects of covalent and non-covalent functionalization of CNTs and graphene on the properties of its composites have also been reviewed and compared. A comparative analysis has been carried out between CNTs and graphene-reinforced polymer composites. Furthermore, the synergetic effects of CNTs and graphene hybrid nanofiller on the mechanical properties of polymer composites have also been briefly discussed. Finally, this review concludes with the potential application and future challenges are discussed with regards to filler and their polymer composites.

X-ray Diffraction Patterns of Activated Carbons Prepared under Various Conditions

Abstract: A series of activated carbons (ACs) were derived from sugarcane bagasse under two activation schemes: steam-pyrolysis at 600-800°C and chemical activation with H3PO4 at 500°C. Some carbons were treated at 400, 600°C, or for 1-3 h, and/or in flowing air during pyrolysis of acid-impregnated mass. XRD profiles displayed two broad diffuse bands centered around 2θ = 23 and 43°, currently associated with diffraction from the 002 and 100/101 set of planes in graphite, respectively. These correspond to the interlayer spacing, Lc, and microcrystallite lateral dimensions, La, of the turbostratic (fully disordered) graphene layers. Steam pyrolysis-activated carbons exhibit only the two mentioned broad bands with enhancement in number of layers, with temperature, and small decrease in microcrystallite diameter, La. XRD patterns of H3PO4-ACs display more developed and separated peaks in the early region with maxima at 2θ = 23, 26 and 29°, possibly ascribed to fragmented microcrystallites (or partially organized structures). Diffraction within the 2θ = 43° is still broad although depressed and diffuse, suggesting that the intragraphitic layers are less developed. Varying the conditions of chemical activation inflicts insignificant structural alterations. Circulating air during pyrolysis leads to enhancement of the basic graphitic structure with destruction and degradation in the lateral dimensions. Keywords : Activated carbon, H3PO4-activation, steam pyrolysis, graphite structure, X-ray diffraction