On the oxidation of electrolytic carbon nanomaterials

The non-isothermal oxidation behaviour of molten salt electrolytically produced carbon material in air has been studied using various thermal analysis techniques, complemented by electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. It was observed that the oxidation of the carbon nanostructures in the electrolytic carbon material proceeds at considerably lower temperatures than those typically needed for the oxidation of carbon nanomaterials. This has been attributed to the effect of lithium carbonate crystals that were found to be located on the walls of the carbon nanostructures. The results are of importance to understanding the properties of, and identifying suitable applications for, this new material.

► Carbon nanostructures are synthesised by LiCl electrolysis with graphite electrodes.
► Thermal analytical measurements in air reveal several oxidative mass loss regimes.
► Li2CO3 inherently present in the carbon material is found to facilitate the oxidation.
► The results help understand the properties of the material and identify applications.