Carbon nanomaterials based on interpolyelectrolyte complex lignosulfonate-chitosan

Abstract

Abstract A new approach to the formation of “fullerene-like” carbon-nitrogen carbogels based on the interpolyelectrolyte complex lignosulfonate-chitosan (IPEC LSNa-CT) was developed. It was established that carbogel maintained the morphology of the precursor complex, i.e. the spherical geometry and the particle size of its main fractions (40–55 nm) were stored in the carbonizate. The influence of pyrolysis (Py) temperature was studied in the range of 500–1000°C on the structure of carbonizate. Carbogels obtained under different processing conditions have a well-developed microporous structure. The specific surface area of carbogels reduced with increasing Py temperature according to their nitrogen content. The maximum specific surface area (438.3 m2 g−1) corresponds to the carbogel obtained at 600°C, while the maximum nitrogen content of this sample is 4.4%. The internal porosity of the material and the volume of supermicropores are reduced with increasing Py temperature due to the accumulation of double and triple carbon bonds in the carbogel. Apparently, the structure-forming N-atoms participate in the formation of condensed nitrogen-containing and cyclic structures as a donor of the electron pair and as such they accelerate the carbonization process.