carbon nanopowders are emerging materials that have great potential for use in a variety of application fields, including biosensors and nanobiotechnology. These particles, which consist of a core of carbon sp2 atoms and an outer shell containing atoms of different polarity, can be functionalized to increase their reactivity and sensing properties.
Pore-size control facilitated by ACC
Crystalline cellulose biomass was transformed into hydrophobic, porous carbon nanoparticles via carbonization to activated carbon and subjected to aqueous counter collision (ACC). The surface areas and pore volumes of the activated carbon were determined from gas adsorption and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements.
The ACC treatment resulted in improved dispersibility of carbon particles. The pore distribution and surface areas of the activated carbon were dependent on the activation time.
ACC-treated carbon was analyzed using a JEM-1010 transmission electron microscope (TEM). The images were scanned for contrast enhancement and statistical size data collection.
Nitrogen adsorption isotherms were also analyzed. The nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms of 2-h-activated and 8-h-activated carbons showed that N2 was adsorbed to the surfaces of both carbons after ACC.
The ACC treatment resulted in improved hydrophobic, porous carbon particles that were dispersible and stable. The diameters of the ACC-treated carbons varied according to the pore distribution and surface areas of the activated TC carbons. The surface area and pore volume of the ACC-treated carbons were significantly larger than those of the raw TC carbons.