Organic-inorganic nanohybrids of novolac phenolic resin and carbon nanotube: High carbon yields by using carbon nanotube aerogel and resin incorporation into aerogel network

CNTCOOH was prepared from oxidation of carbon nanotube. Subsequently, CNTSi was prepared by grafting (3-glycidyloxypropyl) trimethoxysilane (GPTES) to the surface of CNTCOOH by a ring opening reaction of epoxy groups. Then, CNTA was obtained by formation of silicon oxide network between CNTSi and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). Finally, CNTA was used as an additive in novolac resin matrix to yield RCNTA composites with high carbon yield values. Additionally, modification of novolac resin by GP US gives MR with silicon ethoxide moieties on its structure. Then, MRCNTA composites were obtained by formation of silicaisiloxane network from MR, CNTSi, and TEOS. RCNTA composites were thermally compared with MRCNTA composites. Results from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis showed that CNT and novolac resin were successfully modified. Aerogel formation was proved by Raman, X-ray diffraction, and scanning and transmission electron microscopies. BET shows that incorporation of CNT into the aerogel network results in lower cumulative pore volume value. The pore size of SA and CNTA ranges from 2 to about 100 rim which shows that both of them can be included in the mesoporous materials category. Finally, MRCNTA composites reached to the maximum increase of char yields; 11.94% increase of char yield was achieved by MRCNTA4 composite. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.