Highly dense nano-carbon foam with controlled porosity synthesized from hollow carbon nanoparticles

Abstract

Hot pressing hollow carbon nanoparticles results in a nano-carbon foam that can be used for energy storage, carbon dioxide capture or water desalination.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A nano-carbon foam prepared by a process comprising:
 hot pressing hollow carbon nanoparticles:   i) at a pressure between about 10 MPa and about 120 MPa;   ii) at a temperature between about 500° C. and about 2100° C.; and   iii) for a duration between about 5 minutes and about 60 minutes, to form a nano-carbon foam.   
     
     
         2 . The nano-carbon foam of  claim 1 , wherein the hot pressing pressure is about 40 MPa. 
     
     
         3 . The nano-carbon foam of  claim 1 , wherein the nano-carbon foam is prepared by a process that further comprises activating the nano-carbon foam with CO 2 . 
     
     
         4 . The nano-carbon foam of  claim 1 , wherein the nano-carbon foam has a volumetric surface area between about 125 m 2  cc −1  and 578 m 2  cc −1 . 
     
     
         5 . The nano-carbon foam of  claim 1 , wherein the nano-carbon foam has a total pore volume between about 0.23 cc g −1  and 1.35 cc g −1 . 
     
     
         6 . The nano-carbon foam of  claim 1 , wherein the nano-carbon foam has a micropore volume between about 0.002 cc g −1  and 0.19 cc g −1 . 
     
     
         7 . The nano-carbon foam of  claim 1 , wherein the nano-carbon foam has a mesopore volume between about 0.23 cc g −1  and 1.22 cc g −1 . 
     
     
         8 . The nano-carbon foam of  claim 1 , wherein the nano-carbon foam a density between about 0.361 g cc −1  and 0.95 g cc −1 . 
     
     
         9 . The nano-carbon foam of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow carbon nanoparticles have a void fraction of at least 80%. 
     
     
         10 . The nano-carbon foam of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow carbon nanoparticles have a surface area of at least 1400 m 2 /g.