Sulfur infiltrated carbon aerogels and novel methods for multi-scale microstructural analysis

Abstract

Sulfur-infiltrated microporous carbon aerogels are widely used in metal-sulfur batteries or as a capture material for gas-phase mercury adsorption. Gas-phase as well as microwave-based infiltration techniques are suitable for successful infiltration of microporous aerogels. Nevertheless, some limitations of both methods were identified. Hence, the microstructure, chemical composition, and electrical conductivity of produced samples are comprehensively analyzed. In general, sulfur was found to be partially chemically bonded with carbon, which correlates with the increase of electrical conductivity after gas-phase sulfur infiltration. Furthermore, µ-CT and electron microscopy give a very valuable insight into the structure on macroscopic level.