Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Nanoporous Composite Based on Elemental Sulfur and Graphitic Mesoporous Carbon

Abstract

A novel sulfur nanocomposite was fabricated based on graphitic mesoporous carbon.The graphitic mesoporous carbon was synthesized using sucrose as carbon precursor, nano CaCO3 as a hard template and nickel nitrate as graphitization catalyst. The structural properties of the prepared material were characterized using powder X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), N2-adsorption/desorption and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) techniques. The mesoporous solid with the high surface area of 710 m2/g, average pore size of 2.7 nm and high graphitization degree was applied as the nanoreactor for infiltration of molten sulfur at 150 ºC in an inert gas atmosphere. The properties of prepared nanocomposite were investigated by XRD, BET, SEM and cyclic voltammetry methods. The obtained results showed that the desired nanocomposite with enhanced conductivity successfully was synthesized.

Keywords

• graphitic mesoporous carbon
• electrical conductivity
• sulfur nanocomposite
• hard template
• cyclic voltammetry