Structural properties of some transition metal highly doped carbon aerogels

Structural characterization of transition metal highly doped carbon aerogels obtained through the sol-gel polymerization process of the formaldehyde with the potassium salt of 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, followed by metal ions exchange using Ni(II) and Cu(II) aqueous solutions, supercritical drying with liquid CO2 and carbonization at 1050 degrees C under inert atmosphere has been performed. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy were used and it was found that the metal-containing phase is more homogeneously distributed in Cu-doped carbon aerogels. The presence of the metal species determines both the growth of graphitic nanoribbons and the change of framework of the interconnected carbon particles. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.