Low density microcellular carbon foams and method of preparation
First Claim
1. A method of preparing a low-density, open-celled microcellular carbon foam comprising the steps of:
- (a) dissolving a carbonizable polymer or copolymer in a solvent at a temperature sufficient to effect complete dissolution;
(b) pouring the dissolved polymeric or copolymeric solution into a mold;
(c) quenching the solution in order to induce phase separation between the polymer and solvent to form a gelled open-celled foamed structure from the polymer phase wherein the solvent is impregnated into the pores of the foam;
(d) removing the solvent; and
(e) carbonizing the polymer or copolymer in a high temperature oven to obtain an open-celled carbon having a pore size equal to or less than 10 microns.
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Abstract
A low density, open-celled microcellular carbon foam is disclosed which is prepared by dissolving a carbonizable polymer or copolymer in a solvent, pouring the solution into a mold, cooling the solution, removing the solvent, and then carbonizing the polymer or copolymer in a high temperature oven to produce the foam. If desired, an additive can be introduced in order to produce a doped carbon foam, and the foams can be made isotropic by selection of a suitable solvent. The low density, microcellular foams produced by this process are particularly useful in the fabrication of inertial confinement fusion targets, but can also be used as catalysts, absorbents, and electrodes.
131 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method of preparing a low-density, open-celled microcellular carbon foam comprising the steps of:
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(a) dissolving a carbonizable polymer or copolymer in a solvent at a temperature sufficient to effect complete dissolution; (b) pouring the dissolved polymeric or copolymeric solution into a mold; (c) quenching the solution in order to induce phase separation between the polymer and solvent to form a gelled open-celled foamed structure from the polymer phase wherein the solvent is impregnated into the pores of the foam; (d) removing the solvent; and (e) carbonizing the polymer or copolymer in a high temperature oven to obtain an open-celled carbon having a pore size equal to or less than 10 microns. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification