A series of polyynes, a class of linear carbon molecules end-capped by hydrogen, cyanide, and another group, became accessible by the laser ablation of carbon particles in a liquid organic solvent such as hexane or acetonitrile. Optical properties have been studied to provide information on the electronic and vibrational structures of size-selected polyyne molecules. Solid single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), cyclodextrin, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were examined as the hosts in which polyyne molecules were dispersed. In a stretched PVA film, the polyyne molecules were aligned in one direction and showed UV-polarizing effects.
Activated carbon was produced from lignin by chemical activation using H3PO4, ZnCl2, KOH and K2CO3 as activating reagent. The influences of carbonization temperature on the specific surface area, pore volume and yield are described. In addition, the activation mechanisms of H3PO4, ZnCl2, KOH and K2CO3 are described in preparing activated carbon from biomass.
The aim of this doctoral thesis is to develop novel electrochemical capacitors (ECs) from Li metal batteries using covalent-type graphite-intercalation compounds (GICs), such as graphite-fluoride (GF) and graphite-oxide (GO). First, it was found that an electrochemical capacitor (GF/Li capacitor) with the comparable energy density as the Li-ion capacitor can be constructed from GF Li primary battery consisting of the GF cathode and the Li metal anode. In addition, the authors also revealed a novel EC (GO/Li capacitor) can be derived from the discharged Li primary battery using the GO cathode, which is analogous to the GF/Li battery and capacitor. The GO/Li capacitor has high volumetric energy density of 78 Wh/L, compared to GF/Li capacitor and Li-ion capacitor. Furthermore, the authors found that the internal resistance of the GO positive electrode was reduced, and the electrochemical performance of the GO/Li capacitor was significantly improved by compositing with SWCNTs.