Stabilization of poly(vinyl chloride) using iodine vapor for preparing carbon aerogels.

Reports on the production of carbon aerogels from a solution of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) through a novel method in which the sol-gel transformation has been carried out based on dehydrochlorination using a strong organic base. Advantages of this method over the classical one are the wider controllable range of porous structure and the shorter preparation period due to the avoidance of the solvent exchange process prior to the supercritical drying; Conversion of the PVC-based organic aerogels into the carbon aerogels without causing large mass loss and fusion; Application of a stabilization treatment prior to carbonization.