Microwave-Assisted Surface Synthesis of a Boron-Carbon-Nitrogen Foam and its Desorption Enthalpy

Rajib Paul, Purdue University, Birck Nanotechnology Center
Andrey A. Voevodin, Purdue University, Birck Nanotechnology Center
Dimitry Zemlyanov, Purdue University, Birck Nanotechnology Center
Ajit K. Roy, United States Air Force
Timothy S. Fisher, Purdue University, Birck Nanotechnology Center

Abstract

The modification of microporous carbon foam with boron and nitrogen through a facile microwave chemical treatment are reported. The resulting surfaces of the foam exhibit distinct BN and carbon domains based on chemical and microscopic analysis, in keeping with theoretical predictions. The resultant materials are shown to exhibit exceptionally high methanol desorption enthalpy and thermal stability in comparison to untreated carbon foam and consequently are suggested as candidate materials for sorption cooling and thermal storage applications using methanol as the adsorbate.

Discipline(s)

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology