High Specific Strength Carbon Foam Prepared from Sucrose and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) reinforced carbon foams were prepared by thermo-foaming of MWNT dispersions in molten sucrose followed by dehydration and carbonization. The rheological studies showed that the uniform dispersion of MWNT was achieved up to 1.5 wt.%. The carbon foams showed cellular structure. The density of the carbon foams increased with an increase in the MWNT concentration up to 0.25 wt.% and then remained more or less constant. The maximum compressive strength of 4.9 MPa was achieved at the MWNT concentration of 0.5 wt.%.