A novel way to maintain resorcinol–formaldehyde porosity during drying: Stabilization of the sol–gel nanostructure using a cationic polyelectrolyte

The formation of monolithic porous carbon having a BET surface area of ca. 725 m2/g is achieved by carbonization of a resorcinol/formaldehyde (RF) resin prepared in the presence of a cationic polylectrolyte (polydialyldimethylammonium chloride, PDADMAC). The porosity of the resin is maintained during air drying due to the stabilizing effect of a cationic polyelectrolyte on the sol–gel nanostructure. While carbon made of RF resins prepared in the presence of cationic polyelectrolyte show a large surface area, those prepared in the presence of a negatively charged polyelectrolyte (poly(styrenesulfonate), PSS), a neutral hydrophylic polymer (poly(vinyl alcohol), PVA) or in the absence of polymeric additives renders carbon materials having negligible surface areas (<10 m2/g). It seems that positively charged polymer stabilizes the negatively charged resin nanoparticles, suggesting a new mechanism of action for cationic species in porous RF formation. The method simplifies greatly the fabrication of porous carbon by making unnecessary to use complex (e.g. supercritical) drying procedures. It also does not require long curing times and cumbersome solvent exchange. Avoiding the use of organic solvents makes the process friendlier to the environment. The carbon material presents large electrochemical specific capacitance (ca. 210 Fg−1 in acid media and 110 Fg−1 in neutral media) making it suitable for supercapacitor applications. The ion exchange properties, related with the double layer charging/discharging processes are investigated using Probe Beam Deflection techniques.