Catalytic graphitization of ordered mesoporous carbon CMK-3 with iron oxide catalysts: Evaluation of different synthesis pathways

Catalytic graphitization of the mesoporous carbon material CMK-3 with the help of iron oxide catalysts can increase the electrical conductivity and chemical stability and enhance the electrochemical performance as compared to the non-graphitized material. These properties are of interest for the application as electrode material in energy storage materials, but also in neuronal electrodes. In order to find the most suitable and efficient way to obtain graphitized porous carbons, a literature-known procedure and two new methods, consisting in impregnating the mesoporous amorphous carbon with the catalyst during or after its synthesis, were applied. The results of our investigations show that our new, post-synthetic pathway apparently is the most suitable one, leading to improved pore characteristics and higher degree of graphitization of the resulting material. First investigations concerning the mechanism of the catalytic process indicate that the catalytically active species are more likely iron(II) species than iron(III) species.