Catalytic graphitization and formation of macroporous-activated carbon nanofibers from salt-induced and H2S-treated polyacrylonitrile

Abstract

We present here a facile method to produce macroporous-activated carbon nanofibers (AMP-CNFs) by post-treating electrospun cobalt(II) chloride (CoCl2) containing polyacrylonitrile (PAN/CoCl2) nanofibers with hydrogen sulfide (H2S) followed by carbonization. A range of techniques including scanning and transmission electron microscopy, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy is used to examine and characterize the process. Because of the phase behavior between carbon and cobalt, cobalt particles are formed in the nanofibers, some of which leave the fibers during the heat treatment process leading to macroporous fibrous structures. The number of the macroporous increase significantly with increasing CoCl2 concentration in the precursor H2S-treated PAN/CoCl2 nanofibers. The cobalt phase in the fibers also leads to catalytic graphitization of the carbon nanofibers. The produced AMP-CNFs may be a promising candidates in many applications including anode layer in lithium ion batteries, air and liquid purifiers in filters, as well as in biomedical applications.