High Dynamics of Vapor Adsorption in Ordered Mesoporous Carbon CMK-5: A Small Angle X-ray Scattering Study

Adsorption of dichloromethane in CMK-5 is a highly dynamic process going along with substantial rearrangement of both the adsorbent phase and the adsorbate phase. The carbon nanotubes of CMK-5 expand and contract during the process which is accompanied by increase and decrease in average distances between the tubes. Adsorption starts preferentially within the interstitial pores and then continues in the tubular ones. The complete process was monitored by small-angle X-ray diffraction. The SAXS data provided structural information on the carbon material and quantitative information on the adsorption process, which allowed drawing a precise picture of the complete adsorption process.