Preparation of 2D Carbon Materials by Chemical Carbonization of Cellulosic Materials to Avoid Thermal Decomposition

Cellulosic materials, including regenerated cellulose, are promising precursors for a variety of carbon materials. However, thermal decomposition, typically accompanying carbonization at high temperatures, hinders cellulosic materials from being efficiently carbonized (i.e., very low carbon yields). Herein, this study presents a new and efficient method for the preparation of porous 2D carbon materials from sheet-like cellulosic materials, such as papers and fabrics, involving a catalyzed chemical reaction at high temperatures without thermal decomposition. Thus, cellulosic materials are treated with sulfonic acid solutions and significantly dehydrated at high temperatures via evaporation of water. As a result, black materials are obtained at a weight near the theoretical carbon content of cellulose and remain in the carbonized materials. The as-obtained porous 2D carbon materials are flexible and suitable for a wide range of applications such as in electrodes and gas absorbents.