| abstract |
A microcellular carbon foam characterized by a density in the range of about 30 to 1000 mg/cm3, substantially uniform distribution of cell sizes of diameters less than 100 mu m with a majority of the cells being of a diameter of less than about 10 mu m, well interconnected strut morphology providing open porosity, and an expanded d(002) X-ray turbostatic spacing greater than 3.50 angstroms. The precursor for the carbon foam is prepared by the phase inversion of polyacrylonitrile in a solution consisting essentially of at least one alkali metal halide and a phase inversion solvent for the polyacrylonitrile. |