Carbon nanoscrolls by pyrolysis of a polymer

3D network of carbon nanoscrolls was synthesized starting from pyrolysis of poly(acrylic acid-co-maleic acid) sodium salt. It is a catalyst-free process where pyrolysis of polymer leads to formation of carbon form and sodium carbonate. Upon water soaking of pyrolysis product, the carbon form undergoes self-assembly to form carbon nanoscrolls. The interlayer distance between the walls of carbon nanoscroll was found to be 0.34 nm and the carbon nanoscrolls exhibited a surface area of 188 m2/g as measured by the BET method.

► We report catalyst-free synthesis of carbon nanoscrolls.
► The pyrolysis was carried out at 500 °C in air atmosphere for 2 h.
► Pyrolysis of polymer, followed by water soaking of pyrolysed product leads to carbon nanoscrolls.
► We explain the mechanism of formation of carbon nanoscrolls.