Preparation of Nanoporous Carbon from a Spherical NbC/C Nanocomposite and Its Properties

Nanoporous carbon (carbide-derived carbon (CDC)) has been prepared via high-temperature chlorination of a spherical NbC/C nanocomposite synthesized by a new process [ 19 ]. The CDC has been characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy in combination with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. Using nitrogen adsorption–desorption measurements, we have determined the average pore size (3.627 nm), pore size distribution, and total pore volume (1.215 cm 3 /g) in the CDC and calculated its specific surface area by the BET method (817.282 m 2 /g). The electrochemical behavior of the nanoporous carbon (CDC) has been studied using half-cell cyclic voltammetry measurements in the potential sweep range from –1.0 to +1.0 V vs. carbon and impedance spectroscopy.