Water dispersible, highly graphitic and nitrogen-doped carbon nanobubbles.

Authors :: Soll S
Fellinger TP
Wang X
Zhao Q
Antonietti M
Yuan J
Source :: Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) [Small] 2013 Dec 20; Vol. 9 (24), pp. 4135-41. Date of Electronic Publication: 2013 Jul 12.
Publication Year :: 2013
Abstract: Dispersible, highly graphitic, and nitrogen-doped carbon hollow nanospheres (25-90 nm), termed 'nanobubbles', are prepared via confined carbonization through a silica nanocasting technique. Poly(ionic liquid) nanoparticles are employed as easy-to-make and multifunctional templates, which simultaneously act as both the carbon and nitrogen source. The promising potential of the nanobubbles in oxygen reduction reactions for fuel cells is demonstrated.<br /> (Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)