Sr-doped carbon matrices for use as electrodes in autonomous electrical energy sources

Abstract

Relevance. The need to create new safe energy sources that can meet the needs of production and medicine where the use of traditional energy sources is impossible or unprofitable. Such sources may include radioisotope power sources, in which energy production is ensured by the natural decay of radionuclides. The most important components of current sources such as supercapacitors are electrode materials, the characteristics of which determine the electrophysical characteristics of radioisotope sources. This work proposes a method for synthesizing a carbon matrix doped with Sr for use as electrodes of radioisotope power sources. Aim. Development, mastery and optimization of a method for synthesizing electrodes of radioisotope power sources based on carbon materials doped with the Sr-90 radioisotope. Objects. Carbon material doped with a radioisotope simulant Sr-90 (Sr stable). Carbon matrices were obtained by carbonizing a resorcinol-formaldehyde resin doped with a stable strontium salt. Methods. Scanning electron microscopy, low-temperature adsorption-desorption of nitrogen, cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge, impedance microscopy. Results. A carbon matrix doped with a stable strontium isotope was synthesized by the method of semi-carbonization followed by physical activation with carbon dioxide. The structure, porosity and electrochemical characteristics of the material were studied. It was established that physical activation has a positive effect on the development of the specific surface area and mesoporosity of the samples of the synthesized matrix, as a result of which its electrochemical characteristics are improved. The method of physical activation is proposed as the most preferable for the synthesis of a carbon matrix doped with strontium isotopes for use as electrodes of radioisotope power supplies.

Keywords

• radioisotope source
• carbon matrix
• resorcinol-formaldehyde resin
• Sr isotope
• physical activation
• surface area