Preparation of carbon-coated monolithic supports Original Research Article

This paper describes the development of preparation methods for carbon-coated monolithic supports starting from furfuryl alcohol-based polymers. Furfuryl alcohol with or without pyrrole and/or poly(ethylene glycol) mono methyl ether was polymerized using nitric acid under ambient conditions. Cordierite monolithic supports were dipcoated using the partially polymerized furfuryl alcohol mixtures. After solidification of the polymer, the coating was carbonized to obtain a carbon-coated monolithic support. The carbonized polymer is a microporous material. When coated onto a cordierite monolithic support, macropores are formed due to coating of the cordierite pores and carbonization. The polymer tends to shrink during carbonization, which is prohibited by the monolithic support, and then cracks. An oxidizing treatment prior to carbonization in combination with the use of a pore former yields mesopores. Due to shrinkage of the polymer, the carbon coating does not cover the ceramic monolithic support completely. Carbonization at temperatures up to 1000 °C increased the carbon content of the coating, which finally adopts an aromatic character and becomes electrically conducting.