Structure and Electrochemical Performance of Carbide-Derived Carbon Nanopowders

Microporous carbon materials are widely used in gas storage, sorbents, supercapacitor electrodes, water desalination, and catalyst supports. While these microporous carbons usually have a particle size in the 1100 m range, here the synthesis of porous carbide-derived carbon (CDC) with particle diameters around 30 nm by extraction of titanium from nanometer-sized titanium carbide (TiC) powder at temperatures of 200 degrees C and above is reported. Nanometer-sized CDCs prepared at 200400 degrees C show a disordered structure and the presence of CN sp1 bonds. Above 400 degrees C, the CN bond disappears with the structure transition to disordered carbon similar to that observed after synthesis from carbide micropowders. Compared to CDCs produced from micrometer-sized TiC, nano-CDC has a broader pore size distribution due to interparticle porosity and a large contribution from the surface layers. The material shows excellent electrochemical performance due to its easily accessible pores and a large specific surface area.