Photonic Materials Technology Section (PMTS)

Nano-Functional Materials Laboratory

The technology for the synthesis of carbon aerogels and metal loaded carbon aerogels has been developed. Gel drying methods like open air-drying and Freeze drying have been adopted for bulk production of carbon aerogel. Tailored High surface area mesoporous carbon aerogels (CA) with surface area as high as 1600 m2/g have been synthesized.

Fig 1. Steps for synthesis of Carbon aerogel. The R-F gel is dried by either CPD or drying and pyrolysed to make carbon aerogel

Fig 2. Organic Gel and Carbon Aerogel

Fig 3. FESEM of high surface area CA

Fig 4. Adsorption Isotherm and Pore size distribution of CA with varying R/C ratio