Monolithic Solid Based on Single-Walled Carbon Nanohorns: Preparation, Characterization, and Practical Evaluation as a Sorbent

Abstract

A monolithic solid based solely on single walled carbon nanohorns (SWNHs) was prepared without the need of radical initiators or gelators. The procedure involves the preparation of a wet jelly-like system of pristine SWNHs followed by slow drying (48 h) at 25 °C. As a result, a robust and stable porous network was formed due to the interaction between SWNHs not only via π-π and van der Waals interactions, but also via the formation of carbon bonds similar to those observed within dahlia aggregates. Pristine SWNHs and the SWNH monolith were characterized by several techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and nitrogen intrusion porosimetry. Taking into account the efficiency of carbon nanoparticles in sorption processes, the potential applicability of the SWNH-monolith in this research field was explored using toluene; m-, p-, and o-xylene; ethylbenzene; and styrene, as target analytes. Detection limits were 0.01 µg·L−1 in all cases and the inter-day precision was in the interval 7.4–15.7%. The sorbent performance of the nanostructured monolithic solid was evaluated by extracting the selected compounds from different water samples with recovery values between 81.5% and 116.4%.

Fluorinated Carbon Nanohorns as Cathode Materials for Ultra‐High Power Li/CFx Batteries

“…As shown in the SEM image (Figure S1a, Supporting Information), the pristine CNH gathered into spherical shapes under the action of the van der Waals force. [ 19 ] From the TEM image of the pristine CNH (Figure S1b, Supporting Information), it can be observed that the diameter of the CNH aggregates is ≈50–100 nm, and they are mainly dahlia‐type CNH. [ 20 ] The angular structure of the CNH is evident from the high‐resolution TEM image (Figure S1c, Supporting Information).…”

Nitrogen- and Fluorine-Doped Carbon Nanohorns as Efficient Metal-Free Oxygen Reduction Catalyst: Role of the Nitrogen Groups

“…(Padua, Italy) and present a dahlia-type shape with a diameter of 60-120 nm. Electron microscopy evidence of the structure and morphology of the CNHs used in this work can be found in the literature [24][25][26].…”

An insight into the outer- and inner-sphere electrochemistry of oxygenated single-walled carbon nanohorns (o-SWCNHs)

“…1[A]). 7,55,56 Variations in the pressure of the carrier gas in the synthesis chamber might be responsible for the mixed morphologies of the aggregates. 7 The mean lateral sizes of the bud-like and dahlia-like aggregates were calculated as 46.0 AE 16.6 nm (number = 29) and 79.5 AE 12.1 nm (number = 31), respectively, as shown in the histogram (Fig.…”