Graphitization of aerogel-like carbons in molten sodium metal

Aerogel-like carbons were fabricated and were then graphitized in sodium metal at 800 °C and ambient pressure. The resultant graphitized aerogel-like carbons have a crystalline carbonous structure with three-dimensional stacked graphite ribbons about 10 nm in width and are highly porous solids with pore size distributions around 4 nm and 15 nm. The infiltration of sodium metal into the carbonous matrix causes a rearrangement of carbon particles, resulting in the formation of graphite structure, a transformation from micropores to mesopores and an increase of nitrogen surface area.