Solutions of polystyrene as a carbonization precursor for the matryx synthesis of carbon nanostructures

Abstract

Carbon nanostructures were prepared by the carbonization of polystyrene, which was introduced as solutions into fumed silica based composites-matrices. Composite-matrices were impregnated with polystyrene solutions, or the latter were used as a dispersion medium at the stage of forming the composite-matrix. The precursor was carbonized at 750 °C in an argon stream. It has been found that the structure of the carbon formed depends both on the method of introducing the precursor into the composite-matrix and on the conformation of polystyrene macromolecules in the solution. When impregnating with polystyrene solutions, carbon tubes of different diameter (of up to 320 nm) or aggregates of up to 100 nm particles are formed in composite pores after carbonization. When polystyrene solutions are used as a dispersion medium, carbon structures in the form of segmented spheres (60 nm), "shells" (up to 100 nm in diameter) and aggregates of up to 100 nm particles are formed after polystyrene carbonization. The composition of the carbon formed was determined by XPS. © 2007 Springer.