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Polymer-derived carbon aerogels can be obtained by direct polymerization of monomers under hypersaline conditions using inorganic salts. This allows for significantly increased mechanical robustness and avoiding special drying processes. This concept was realized by conducting the polymerization of phenol-formaldehyde (PF) in the presence of ZnCl2 salt. Afterwards, the simultaneous carbonization and foaming process conveniently converts the PF monolith into a foam-like carbon aerogel. ZnCl2 plays a key role, serving as dehydration agent, foaming agent, and porogen. The carbon aerogels thus obtained are of very low density (25 mg cm−3), high specific surface area (1340 m2 g−1), and have a large micro- and mesopore volume (0.75 cm3 g−1). The carbon aerogels show very promising potential in the separation/extraction of organic pollutants and for energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polymerization of phenol–formaldehyde resin under hypersaline conditions, for example, in the presence of ZnCl2, generates a black monolith. In their Communication on page 14623 ff., N. Fechler, M. Antonietti, S. H. Yu et al. further show that a foam‐like carbon aerogel with good mechanical robustness can be directly obtained from the monolith without any special drying processes. ZnCl2 plays a key role in this process, serving as dehydration agent, foaming agent, and porogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]