Carbon Foams via Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization of Emulsion Templates: A Facile Method to Make Carbon Current Collectors for Battery Applications

Polydicyclopentadiene (pDCPD), a thermoset with excellent mechanical properties, has enormous potential as lightweight, tough, and stable matrix material owing to its highly cross-linked macromolecular network. This work describes generating pDCPD-based foams hierarchically porous carbons derived therefrom by combining ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of DCPD, high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) structural templates, subsequent carbonization. The structure function the carbon were characterized discussed in detail using scanning electron, transmission or atomic force microscopy (SEM, TEM, AFM), electron energy-loss spectroscopy (TEM-EELS), N2 sorption, analyses electrical conductivity well properties. resulting materials exhibited uniform, shape-retaining shrinkage only ?1/3 after No failure was observed even when pDCPD precursor heated 1400 °C. Instead, porosity, void size, 3D interconnectivity fully preserved, diameters could be adjusted between 87 2.5 ?m. Moreover, have content >97%, an electronic up 2800 S·m–1, Young’s modulus 2.1 GPa, specific surface area 1200 m2·g–1. Surprisingly, carbonized into shapes other than monoliths, such 10’s micron thick membranes foamy coatings adhered metal foil grid substrate. latter adhere upon bending. Finally, use case, applied cathodes for Li–O2 batteries where show favorable combination active area, pore size outstanding capacity.