Advances in Tailoring Resorcinol-Formaldehyde Organic and Carbon Gels

• Published in: Advanced materials (Weinheim) 2011-07, Vol.23 (26), p.2887-2903
• Main Authors: ElKhatat, Ahmed M., Al-Muhtaseb, Shaheen A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: aerogels; Carbon - chemistry; Catalysis; cryogels; Formaldehyde - chemistry; Gels - chemistry; Metals - chemistry; resorcinol-formaldehyde; Resorcinols - chemistry; Solvents - chemistry; structural properties; xerogels
• ISSN: 0935-9648; 1521-4095
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.201100283

An overview on the preparation and properties of resorcinol‐formaldehyde (RF) organic and carbon gels reveals the fascinating and remarkably flexible properties of RF carbon and organic gels and how these properties are related to the synthesis and processing conditions. The structural properties can be easily tailored by rigidly controlling such conditions. However, slight variations in some conditions may cause drastic variations in the structural characteristics, and hence properties. Therefore, the effects of different conditions must be well‐understood before attempting to tailor organic or carbon gels to specific applications. The most important factors that affect the properties of an organic gel are the precursor concentrations, the catalyst type and concentration, the time and temperature of curing, and the drying method. In addition to these factors, characteristics of activated carbon gels also depend on the pyrolysis temperature and the activation method. These conditions impact the structural and performance characteristics significantly. Resorcinol‐formaldehyde organic and carbon gels are fascinating materials that are marked a wide range of structural properties. These properties can be tailored by controlling the synthesis and processing conditions. However, slight variations in some conditions may cause drastic variations in their properties. Therefore, the effects of these conditions must be understood before tailoring these materials to specific applications.