Nearly space-filling fractal networks of carbon nanopores -: art. no. 115502

Small-angle x-ray scattering, nitrogen adsorption, and scanning tunneling microscopy show that a series of activated carbons host an extended fractal network of channels with dimension D-p = 2.8-3.0 (pore fractal), channel width 15 20 Angstrom (lower end of scaling), network diameter 3000-3400 Angstrom (upper end of scaling), and porosity of 0.3-0.6. We interpret the network as a stack of quasiplanar invasion percolation clusters, formed by oxidative removal of walls between closed voids of diameter of similar to10 Angstrom and held in registry by fibrils of the biological precursor, and point out unique applications.