Probing the mechanism of forming magnetic carbon composite using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
Presentation Type
Abstract
Faculty Advisor
Wanlu Li
Access Type
Event
Start Date
25-4-2025 12:00 PM
End Date
25-4-2025 1:00 PM
Description
Magnetic carbons are of great interest due to their potential applications in synthesizing carbon materials with a multitude of properties. This study focuses on change of the surface chemistry after each treatment step in forming magnetic carbon using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Carbon, oxygen, and iron are the center of interest. PAN-750 is made by carbonization and activation of polyacrylonitrile (PAN). PAN-OH is made by treating PAN-750 with hydrogen peroxide. M-PAN is made using hydrothermal synthesis of PAN-OH with ferric chloride, which showed magnetic properties. XPS results show that hydroxyl functional groups were successfully introduced to PAN using H2O2, as evidenced by an increase in C-O bonds from 2.7% in PAN-750 to 8.2% in PAN-OH. For M-PAN, hydroxyl groups showed a decline, along with the appearance of Fe-O bonds. These findings provide insight into the compositing mechanism between carbonaceous material and Fe3O4 where the hydroxyl groups on PAN-OH react with the iron species to form magnetite Fe3O4.
Probing the mechanism of forming magnetic carbon composite using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
Magnetic carbons are of great interest due to their potential applications in synthesizing carbon materials with a multitude of properties. This study focuses on change of the surface chemistry after each treatment step in forming magnetic carbon using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Carbon, oxygen, and iron are the center of interest. PAN-750 is made by carbonization and activation of polyacrylonitrile (PAN). PAN-OH is made by treating PAN-750 with hydrogen peroxide. M-PAN is made using hydrothermal synthesis of PAN-OH with ferric chloride, which showed magnetic properties. XPS results show that hydroxyl functional groups were successfully introduced to PAN using H2O2, as evidenced by an increase in C-O bonds from 2.7% in PAN-750 to 8.2% in PAN-OH. For M-PAN, hydroxyl groups showed a decline, along with the appearance of Fe-O bonds. These findings provide insight into the compositing mechanism between carbonaceous material and Fe3O4 where the hydroxyl groups on PAN-OH react with the iron species to form magnetite Fe3O4.
Comments
Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.