Prospective carbon nanofibers based on polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1): Pore structure regulation for higher carbon sequestration and renewable energy source applications

Polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1) is characterized by a developed microporous structure. Needle-free NanospiderTM electrospinning of the PIM-1 solution with subsequent pyrolysis either under vacuum or in argon-hydrogen medium (7 vol% H2) at 900-1200 degrees C results in PIM-1 based carbon nanofibers (CNF) self-supporting mats. The samples were thoroughly characterized by N2 and CO2 adsorption using the BET, BJH, Dubinin-Radushkevich (DR), NLDFT and GCMC methods, CO2 uptake, and by Raman spectroscopy, elemental analysis, electrical conductivity, SEM. Since the N2 adsorption is found to be inapplicable, the presence of microporosity in the CNF is confirmed by CO2 adsorption (273 K) by the DR, NLDFT and GCMC methods. The CNF reach micropore specific surface area of 919 m2 g-1, micropore volume of 0.257 cm3 g-1 and CO2 uptake of 4.01 mmol g-1, which is higher than for initial PIM-1. Pt/PIM-1 CNF self-supporting mat, was successfully tested as anode for HT-PEM fuel cell.

Automated summary

Polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1) with developed microporous structure can be converted into PIM-1 based carbon nanofibers (CNF) through nanospider electrospinning and subsequent pyrolysis. The presence of microporosity in the CNF was confirmed by CO2 adsorption. The CNF showed higher specific surface area, pore volume, and CO2 uptake compared to the initial PIM-1 polymer. Additionally, Pt/PIM-1 CNF self-supporting mat exhibited promising performance as anode in HT-PEM fuel cell.