Nanoporous Carbon: Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "2D and Carbon Nanomaterials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 July 2021) | Viewed by 17239

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciencies, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade Ciências, Universidade Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
Interests: biomass valorization; chars; nanoporous materials; pharmaceutical compounds removal; natural organic matter removal; water treatment; advanced oxidation processes; adsorption; characterization; separation & purification processes; kinetic & equilibrium studies; assays at pilot and full scale
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centro de Química Estrutural, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
Interests: synthesis of carbon materials from biomass through conventional and innovative approaches; synthesis and modification of zeolite structures; characterization of materials through different techniques (e.g., physical adsorption of gases, adsorption of bases followed by infrared, X-ray diffraction, electron microscopies); application of carbon materials as adsorbents for the removal of pharmaceuticals from water (fundamental and applied studies); application of carbon materials for energy production and storage; carbon materials as catalysts or catalyst supports; study of the catalytic properties of zeolite materials in refining, petrochemistry, and fine chemistry such as Friedel–Crafts acylation reactions
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The carbon atom has versatile features that allow this element to combine in various solid forms, and the ability of carbon-based materials to enclose nanopores in their structure is a key factor and an asset to address important scientific challenges. Moreover, the unique properties of carbon materials such as carbon nanotubes or graphene has been demonstrating the possibility of replacing industrial processes based on heavy metals by metal-free materials.

The main objective of this Special Issue of Nanomaterials is to present relevant and recent insights on the synthesis, characterization, and application of nanoporous carbon materials. We invite authors to submit original communications, articles, or reviews on innovative synthesis routes of nanoporous carbons and also on the deeper comprehension of their properties at the nanoscale. Contributions focused on the role of the nanoporosity of carbon materials or carbon-based hybrid materials for specific applications in the fields of adsorption, catalysis, or energy production are also welcome.

We look forward to receiving your submissions.

Dr. Ana S. Mestre
Prof. Dr. Ana P. Carvalho
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • nanoporous carbon
  • activated carbon
  • carbon nanotubes
  • graphene
  • graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4)
  • porosity
  • adsorption
  • catalysis
  • energy production

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 4629 KiB  
Article
Unprecedented Mechanochemical Synthesis and Heterogenization of a C-Scorpionate Au(III) Catalyst for Microwave-Assisted Biomass Valorization
by Inês A. S. Matias, Pablo G. Selfa, Ana M. Ferraria, Ana M. Botelho do Rego, Maximilian N. Kopylovich, Ana P. C. Ribeiro and Luísa M. D. R. S. Martins
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(3), 362; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12030362 - 23 Jan 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2961
Abstract
The transformation of biomass, a carbon resource presenting a huge potential to produce valuable chemicals, requires the search for sustainable catalytic routes. This work proposes the microwave-assisted oxidation of biomass -derived substrates, such as glycerol and the furfural derivatives 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF) and 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxylic [...] Read more.
The transformation of biomass, a carbon resource presenting a huge potential to produce valuable chemicals, requires the search for sustainable catalytic routes. This work proposes the microwave-assisted oxidation of biomass -derived substrates, such as glycerol and the furfural derivatives 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF) and 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxylic acid (HFCA), using the C-scorpionate dichloro-gold(III) complex [AuCl22-Tpm)]Cl (Tpm = HCpz3; pz = pyrazol-1-yl) as a catalyst, as prepared and supported on graphene, in solvent-free conditions. The unprecedented application of a mechanochemical procedure (in a planetary ball mill, in solid state) to synthesize a C-scorpionate complex, the [AuCl22-Tpm)]Cl, is disclosed. The immobilization of [AuCl22-Tpm)]Cl on graphene was performed using different methods, including some (e.g., microwave irradiation and liquid assisted grinding) for the first time. The structural properties and the performance of the prepared catalytic materials are presented and discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoporous Carbon: Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications)
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24 pages, 6421 KiB  
Article
Solar Light-Induced Methylene Blue Removal over TiO2/AC Composites and Photocatalytic Regeneration
by Fernanda Dalto, Iwona Kuźniarska-Biernacka, Clara Pereira, Elsa Mesquita, Olívia Salomé G. P. Soares, M. Fernando R. Pereira, Maria João Rosa, Ana S. Mestre, Ana P. Carvalho and Cristina Freire
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(11), 3016; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11113016 - 10 Nov 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3803
Abstract
TiO2-containing photocatalysts, which combine TiO2 with carbon-based materials, are promising materials for wastewater treatment due to synergistic photodegradation and adsorption phenomena. In this work, TiO2/AC composites were produced by the in situ immobilization of TiO2 nanoparticles over [...] Read more.
TiO2-containing photocatalysts, which combine TiO2 with carbon-based materials, are promising materials for wastewater treatment due to synergistic photodegradation and adsorption phenomena. In this work, TiO2/AC composites were produced by the in situ immobilization of TiO2 nanoparticles over activated carbon (AC) derived from spent coffee grains, using different TiO2/AC proportions. The TiO2/AC composites were tested as adsorbents (dark) and as photocatalysts in a combined adsorption+photocatalytic process (solar irradiation) for methylene blue (MB) removal from ultrapure water, and from a secondary effluent (SecEf) of an urban wastewater treatment plant. All the materials were characterized by XRD (X-ray powder diffraction), N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms at −196 °C, SEM (scanning electron microscopy), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance, FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy), TPD (temperature programmed desorption), XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and TGA (thermogravimetric analysis). The TiAC60 (60% C) composite presented the lowest band gap (1.84 eV), while, for TiAC29 (29% C), the value was close to that of bare TiO2 (3.18 vs. 3.17 eV). Regardless of the material, the solar irradiation improved the percentage of MB discolouration when compared to adsorption in dark conditions. In the case of simultaneous adsorption+photocatalytic assays performed in ultrapure water, TiAC29 presented the fastest MB removal. Nevertheless, both TiAC29 and TiAC60 led to excellent MB removal percentages (96.1–98.1%). UV-induced photoregeneration was a promising strategy to recover the adsorption capacity of the materials, especially for TiAC60 and AC (>95%). When the assays were performed in SecEf, all the materials promoted discolouration percentages close to those obtained in ultrapure water. The bulk water parameters revealed that TiAC60 allowed the removal of a higher amount of MB, associated with the overall improvement of the SecEf quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoporous Carbon: Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications)
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13 pages, 12522 KiB  
Article
High-Quality Few-Layer Graphene on Single-Crystalline SiC thin Film Grown on Affordable Wafer for Device Applications
by Norifumi Endoh, Shoji Akiyama, Keiichiro Tashima, Kento Suwa, Takamasa Kamogawa, Roki Kohama, Kazutoshi Funakubo, Shigeru Konishi, Hiroshi Mogi, Minoru Kawahara, Makoto Kawai, Yoshihiro Kubota, Takuo Ohkochi, Masato Kotsugi, Koji Horiba, Hiroshi Kumigashira, Maki Suemitsu, Issei Watanabe and Hirokazu Fukidome
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(2), 392; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11020392 - 4 Feb 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3810
Abstract
Graphene is promising for next-generation devices. However, one of the primary challenges in realizing these devices is the scalable growth of high-quality few-layer graphene (FLG) on device-type wafers; it is difficult to do so while balancing both quality and affordability. High-quality graphene is [...] Read more.
Graphene is promising for next-generation devices. However, one of the primary challenges in realizing these devices is the scalable growth of high-quality few-layer graphene (FLG) on device-type wafers; it is difficult to do so while balancing both quality and affordability. High-quality graphene is grown on expensive SiC bulk crystals, while graphene on SiC thin films grown on Si substrates (GOS) exhibits low quality but affordable cost. We propose a new method for the growth of high-quality FLG on a new template named “hybrid SiC”. The hybrid SiC is produced by bonding a SiC bulk crystal with an affordable device-type wafer and subsequently peeling off the SiC bulk crystal to obtain a single-crystalline SiC thin film on the wafer. The quality of FLG on this hybrid SiC is comparable to that of FLG on SiC bulk crystals and much higher than of GOS. FLG on the hybrid SiC exhibited high carrier mobilities, comparable to those on SiC bulk crystals, as anticipated from the linear band dispersions. Transistors using FLG on the hybrid SiC showed the potential to operate in terahertz frequencies. The proposed method is suited for growing high-quality FLG on desired substrates with the aim of realizing graphene-based high-speed devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoporous Carbon: Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications)
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20 pages, 3680 KiB  
Article
Producing Magnetic Nanocomposites from Paper Sludge for the Adsorptive Removal of Pharmaceuticals from Water—A Fractional Factorial Design
by Luciana S. Rocha, Érika M. L. Sousa, María V. Gil, João A. B. P. Oliveira, Marta Otero, Valdemar I. Esteves and Vânia Calisto
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(2), 287; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11020287 - 22 Jan 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2643
Abstract
In view of a simple after-use separation, the potentiality of producing magnetic activated carbon (MAC) by intercalation of ferromagnetic metal oxide nanoparticles in the framework of a powder activated carbon (PAC) produced from primary paper sludge was explored in this work. The synthesis [...] Read more.
In view of a simple after-use separation, the potentiality of producing magnetic activated carbon (MAC) by intercalation of ferromagnetic metal oxide nanoparticles in the framework of a powder activated carbon (PAC) produced from primary paper sludge was explored in this work. The synthesis conditions to produce cost effective and efficient MACs for the adsorptive removal of pharmaceuticals (amoxicillin, carbamazepine, and diclofenac) from aqueous media were evaluated. For this purpose, a fractional factorial design (FFD) was applied to assess the effect of the most significant variables (Fe3+ to Fe2+ salts ratio, PAC to iron salts ratio, temperature, and pH), on the following responses concerning the resulting MACs: Specific surface area (SBET), saturation magnetization (Ms), and adsorption percentage of amoxicillin, carbamazepine, and diclofenac. The statistical analysis revealed that the PAC to iron salts mass ratio was the main factor affecting the considered responses. A quadratic linear regression model A = f(SBET, Ms) was adjusted to the FFD data, allowing to differentiate four of the eighteen MACs produced. These MACs were distinguished by being easily recovered from aqueous phase using a permanent magnet (Ms of 22–27 emu g−1), and their high SBET (741–795 m2 g−1) were responsible for individual adsorption percentages ranging between 61% and 84% using small MAC doses (35 mg L−1). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoporous Carbon: Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications)
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16 pages, 5590 KiB  
Review
Exploring the Silent Aspect of Carbon Nanopores
by Teresa J. Bandosz
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(2), 407; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11020407 - 5 Feb 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2676
Abstract
Recently, owing to the discovery of graphene, porous carbons experienced a revitalization in their explorations. However, nowadays, the focus is more on search for suitable energy advancing catalysts sensing, energy storage or thermal/light absorbing features than on separations. In many of these processes, [...] Read more.
Recently, owing to the discovery of graphene, porous carbons experienced a revitalization in their explorations. However, nowadays, the focus is more on search for suitable energy advancing catalysts sensing, energy storage or thermal/light absorbing features than on separations. In many of these processes, adsorption, although not emphasized sufficiently, can be a significant step. It can just provide a surface accumulation of molecules used in other application-driving chemical or physical phenomena or can be even an additional mechanism adding to the efficiency of the overall performance. However, that aspect of confined molecules in pores and their involvement in the overall performance is often underrated. In many applications, nanopores might silently advance the target processes or might very directly affect or change the outcomes. Therefore, the objective of this communication is to bring awareness to the role of nanopores in carbon materials, and also in other solids, to scientists working on cutting-edge application of nonporous carbons, not necessary involving the adsorption process directly. It is not our intention to provide a clear explanation of the small pore effects, but we rather tend to indicate that such effects exist and that their full explanation is complex, as complex is the surface of nanoporous carbons. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoporous Carbon: Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications)
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