Synthesis of carbon nanofiber/carbon-foam composite for catalyst support in gas-phase catalytic reactions

A carbon foam was prepared by self-bubbling using mesophase pitch as a precursor. To improve its specific surface area, the carbon foam was oxidized with 65 mass% HNO3 and then a layer of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) was grown on the pore walls using chemical vapor deposition. The specific surface area and thermal conductivity of the carbon foam and CNF/carbon foam composite are 40 and 198 m(2)/g and 107 and 125 W/mK, respectively. This CNF/carbon-foam composite can be used as a catalyst support for gas-phase catalytic reactions.