Härk, E.; Petzold, A.; Goerigk, G.; Ballauff, M.; Kent, B.; Keiderling, U.; Palm, R.; Vaas, I.; Lust, E.: The effect of a binder on porosity of the nanoporous RP-20 carbon. A combined study by small angle X-ray and neutron scattering. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials 275 (2019), p. 139-146
10.1016/j.micromeso.2018.08.022
Abstract:
Small-angle X-ray (SAXS) and neutron (SANS) scattering techniques were employed for a full elucidation of the microstructure of nanoporous RP-20 carbon powder and of the electrodes made from RP-20 powder. Explicitly, changes effected by the binding agent polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) were observed. Qualitative analysis of the SAXS shows that 6 wt% of PTFE does not change the structure of the micropores of RP-20 powder. Complementary investigations by SANS using deuterated toluene and heavy water demonstrated that the nonpolar solvent toluene fills all pores from the micro to the macro scale. In this qualitative study we demonstrate further that a binder slightly influences the accessibility of the pores for a given solvent, but the overall structure of the carbon materials remain same.