A brief overview on the preparation and properties of resorcinol–formaldehyde organic and carbon gels reveals very interesting features about their structural and performance characteristics. The resulting nanostructure was very sensitive to the various synthesis and processing conditions. This leads to a remarkable potential for designing and tailoring these materials to fit specific applications. Based on step‐by‐step comparisons of the published studies, approximate generalizations on the specific roles the synthesis and processing conditions play on the final properties are provided. Overall, resorcinol–formaldehyde organic gels undergo two main stages during synthesis. The first stage is associated with the preparation of the sol mixture, and the subsequent gelation and curing of the gel. The second stage is associated with the drying of the wet gel. The most important factors that affect the properties of the organic gel during the first stage are the catalyst concentration, the initial gel pH, and the concentration of the solids in the sol. The most important factors that affect the properties of the organic gel during the second stage are the drying procedure (e.g., super‐ or subcritical drying), and the difference between the surface tensions of the solvent before and after drying. The corresponding resorcinol–formaldehyde carbon gels are produced from the organic gels during a third stage, which is associated with carbonization or activation. Depending on the conditions, carbonization and activation both impact the structural and performance characteristics significantly.
A complex impedance model for spherical particles was used to determine the lithium ion diffusion coefficient in graphite as a function of the state of charge (SOC) and temperature. The values obtained range from of 1.12 ϫ 10 Ϫ10 to 6.51 ϫ 10 Ϫ11 cm 2 /s at 25ЊC for 0 and 30% SOC, respectively, and for 0% SOC, the value at 55ЊC was 1.35 ϫ 10 Ϫ10 cm 2 /s. The conventional potentiostatic intermittent titration technique (PITT) and Warburg impedance approaches were also evaluated, and the advantages and disadvantages of these techniques were exposed.
Very fine cobalt oxide xerogel powders were prepared using a unique solution chemistry associated with the sol-gel process. The effect of thermal treatment on the surface area, pore volume, crystallinity, particle structure, and corresponding electrochemical properties of the resulting xerogels was investigated and found to have significant effects on all of these properties. The xerogel remained amorphous as Co(OH)2 up to 160°C, and exhibited maxima in both the surface area and pore volume at this temperature. With an increase in the temperature above 200°C, both the surface area and pore volume decreased sharply, because the amorphous Co(OH)2 decomposed to form CoO that was subsequently oxidized to form crystalline Co304. In addition, the changes in the surface area, pore volume, crystallinity, and particle structure all had significant but coupled effects on the electrochemical properties of the xerogels. A maximum capacitance of 291 F/g was obtained for an electrode prepared with the CoOs xerogel calcined at 150°C, which was consistent with the maxima exhibited in both the surface area and pore volume; this capacitance was attributed solely to a surface redox mechanism. The cycle life of this electrode was also very stable for many thousands of cycles.
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