3D carbons for energy and environmental technologies

Carbon materials, particularly in their nanostructured forms, find many applications in various energy and environmental technologies. They are used as transparent conducting layers and as active additives in optoelectronic and photovoltaic structures, as electrode components in electrochemical energy storage systems, and as catalysts or catalyst supports in electrochemical and chemical processes. Other applications include hydrogen and methane storage, as well as, filters and sorbents, for water purification, contaminant removal, desalination, or oil spill cleanups. The performance of nanostructured carbons can be enhanced by fabricating them in a form of advanced, three-dimensional (3D) architectures, which enable additional functionalities, including high specific surface area and porosity, improved pathways for electronic and ionic transport, ease of doping and surface functionalization, etc.. Here, we report our recent efforts on fabrication and characterization of high performance 3D carbons. In particular, we have developed a simple and scalable nanocarbon carbon synthesis method based on thermolysis and catalytic templating of inexpensive carbon precursors. The application of this method for the synthesis of undoped and nitrogen-doped 3D carbons in the form of carbon nanocages and multilayer graphene foams is discussed and example results of characterization of these materials are presented.