Prospective carbon nanofibers based on polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1): Pore structure regulation for higher carbon sequestration and renewable energy source applications

Polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1) is characterized by a developed microporous structure. Needle-free Nanospider™ electrospinning of the PIM-1 solution with subsequent pyrolysis either under vacuum or in argon-hydrogen medium (7 vol% H2) at 900–1200 °C results in PIM-1 based carbon nanofibers (CNF) self-supporting mats. The samples were thoroughly characterized by N2 and CO2 adsorption using the BET, BJH, Dubinin-Radushkevich (DR), NLDFT and GCMC methods, CO2 uptake, and by Raman spectroscopy, elemental analysis, electrical conductivity, SEM. Since the N2 adsorption is found to be inapplicable, the presence of microporosity in the CNF is confirmed by CO2 adsorption (273 K) by the DR, NLDFT and GCMC methods. The CNF reach micropore specific surface area of 919 m2 g−1, micropore volume of 0.257 cm3 g−1 and CO2 uptake of 4.01 mmol g−1, which is higher than for initial PIM-1. Pt/PIM-1 CNF self-supporting mat, was successfully tested as anode for HT-PEM fuel cell. Carbon dioxide adsorption method unveils PIM-1 carbon nanofiber microporosity exceeding PIM-1 microporosity. [Display omitted] •Electrospun PIM-1 carbon nanofibers are mostly ultramicroporous.•Microporosity characteristics of PIM-1 CNF exceed the ones for PIM-1.•PIM-1 CNF specific surface area reaches 919 m2 g−1•CO2 uptake for PIM-1 CNF is higher than for PIM-1.•Pt/PIM-1 CNF mats can be used as anodes in HT-PEM fuel cell.