Nanocarbon Aerogels as Electrically-Heatable Support Frameworks for Functional Nanoparticles

Nanocarbon aerogels, such as reduced carbon nanotube (rCNT) aerogels and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) aerogels, are promising porous 3D macroscopic materials that have been investigated in a number of fields due to a unique combination of remarkable materials properties, including high specific surface areas, tuneable microstructures, very high porosities and ultralow density. This PhD research will explore the use of nanocarbon aerogels as support materials for functional inorganic nanoparticles in the context of commercially and environmentally-important sorption applications. In contrast to other porous support materials (MOFs, zeolites, mesoporous silicas) used in this context, nanocarbon aerogels exhibit excellent electrical conductivity. This conductivity provides unique capability for direct electrical heating (so called Joule-heating) of the nanocarbon support framework and supported nanoparticles. The Joule-heating of nanocarbon aerogel supports has not been studied in detail yet and will be the focus of this PhD work.