preprints.org > chemistry and materials science > polymers and plastics > doi: 10.20944/preprints202312.1819.v1

Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Version 1 : Received: 24 December 2023 / Approved: 25 December 2023 / Online: 25 December 2023 (05:47:57 CET)

A series of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based block copolymers with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) as sacrificial bock were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization and used as precursors for the synthesis of porous carbons. The carbons enriched with O- and S-containing groups, introduced by controlled oxidation and sulphuration, respectively, were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry, and their surface textural properties were measured by a volumetric analyzer. We observed that the presence of sulphur tends to modify the structure of the carbons, from microporous to mesoporous, while the use of copolymers with a range of molar composition PAN/PMMA between 10/90 to 47/53 allows the obtainment of carbons with different degrees of porosity. The amount of sacrificial block only affects the morphology of carbons stabilized in oxygen, inducing their nanostructuration, but has not effect on their chemical composition. We also demonstrated their suitability for separating a typical N2/CO2 post-combustion stream.

block copolymer templates; hierarchical pores; atom transfer radical polymerization; sulphur-doping; oxidative-stabilization

Chemistry and Materials Science, Polymers and Plastics

* All users must log in before leaving a comment