Influence of Graphene Oxide Incorporation on Resorcinol-Formaldehyde Polymer and Carbon Aerogels

Abstract

Resorcinol-formaldehyde based polymer hydrogels with various graphene oxide (GO) content were synthesized using Na2CO3 as catalyst at pH=6 conditions. After supercritical drying they were converted to carbon aerogels in nitrogen atmosphere. The heat treatment not only pyrolysed the polymer gel, but also reduced GO. The GO added varied within 0-14% related to the mass of resorcinol which resulted in the reinforcement of the polymer matrix. The texture of the polymer and the carbon aerogels were characterized and compared in the nanoscale using SEM and TEM imaging, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and low temperature nitrogen adsorption measurements. The transition from polymer to carbon state was studied by thermogravimetry. In agreement with reference works in the GO range studied the morphology was not affected by the GO content either in the polymer or in the carbon form. The direct current (DC) conductivity however linearly increased with the added GO and already 10 % doubled the conductivity of the plain carbon aerogel.