West Virginia University

Christopher L Yurchick

Alfred Herman Stiller

An apparatus containing at least one electrochemical cell with an electrode structure. The electrode structure contains at least one carbide chemical compound. The carbide chemical compound may be a salt-like carbide. The electrode may contain at least one electronically conductive element different from the carbide. Carbon compositions of various forms may be formed by the methods and apparatus using the electrode structure. Large pieces of pure carbon may be produced. Post-reaction processing of the carbon may be carried out such as exfoliation.

Methods and apparatuses for production of carbon, carbide electrodes, and carbon compositions

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to processes for preparation of a carbon foam material, the process comprising heating in a microwave heating apparatus a mixture comprising a coal material and a flux agent. In other aspects, relates to processes for preparation of a carbon foam material, the process comprising heating in a microwave heating apparatus a mixture comprising a coal material, a foaming pitch material and a flux agent. In a further aspect, the mixture comprising a coal material, a foaming pitch material and a flux agent after heating in the microwave heating apparatus can form a pseudo-fluid material. In a still further aspect, the pseudo-fluid material can be arranged in mold, and then further heated to form a carbon foam. The disclosure, in further aspects, relates to processes further providing carbon materials such as carbon composite materials, graphite, graphite flakes, and graphene. In various aspects, the disclosure relates to the carbon foam and other materials prepared using the disclosed processes. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Processes and compositions for carbon foams and materials

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to processes for preparation of a carbon foam material, the process comprising devolatization of coal-derived pitches or extracts at atmospheric pressure near green coke temperatures, thereby forming a solid coke-like material. In a further aspect, the process can further comprise grinding the solid coke-like material to a powder, providing the ground powder to a mold, and then reheating above green coking temperature (e.g., &#x3e;600&#xb0; C.) to further devolatize the material and form a porous solid foam material. The process further provides carbon materials such as carbon composite materials and sp2-hybridized carbon in the form of graphene oxide or graphene. In various aspects, the disclosure relates to the carbon foam and other materials prepared using the disclosed processes. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Method comprising providing at least one solid carbide chemical compound and reducing a metal cation with use of the solid carbide chemical compound. A method comprising producing elemental carbon material from the oxidation of carbide in at least one carbide chemical compound (e.g., calcium carbide) in at least one anode of an electrochemical cell apparatus, such as a galvanic cell apparatus. The cathode can be a variety of metals such as zinc or tin. The reaction can be carried out at room temperature and normal pressure. An external voltage also can be applied, and different forms of carbon can be produced depending on the reactants used and voltage applied. For carrying out the method, an apparatus comprising at least one galvanic cell comprising: at least one anode comprising at least one carbide chemical compound, and at least one cathode. For carrying out the method and constructing the apparatus, an electrode structure comprising at least one carbide chemical compound, wherein the carbide chemical compound is a salt-like carbide; and at least one electronically conductive element different from the carbide. Carbon compositions of various forms are also prepared by the methods and apparatus and with use of the electrode structure. Large pieces of pure carbon can be produced. Post-reaction processing of the carbon can be carried out such as exfoliation.

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Fairmont, WV, United States of America

Christopher L Yurchick