Search

Alkyl ring-substituted ethyl 2-cyano-3-phenyl-2-propenoates, RPhCH=C(CN)CO2C2H5 (where R is 2-methyl, 3-methyl, 4-methyl, 4-ethyl, 4-isopropyl, 4-t-butyl, 4-trifluoromethyl, 2-trifluoromethyl) were prepared and copolymerized with vinyl acetate in solution with radical initiation. The compositions of the copolymers were calculated from nitrogen analysis and the structures were analyzed by IR, 1H and 13C-NMR. Thermal behavior of the copolymers was studied by DSC and TGA. Decomposition of the copolymers in nitrogen occurred in two steps, first in the 200-500ºC range with residue (13-16 wt%), which then decomposed in the 500-800ºC range.

Graphitization heat treatment of a precursor carbon black was seen to effectively produce a wide variety of forms of partially graphitized nano-sized carbonaceous materials with a set of unique properties, some of which are reported in this paper in comparison with those properties of the precursor carbon material. These novel materials were given the name of PUREBLACK ® Carbons. Among some of the unique properties are: higher conductivity than that of acetylene type carbon blacks due to PUREBLACK ® Carbon's particles having more graphitic structure; very low to zero volatile content (external oxygen, sulfur, etc., groups, which are often believed to be the cause of initiation of self-discharge reactions in batteries); very low equilibrium moisture pickup (20 ppm level), which makes it particularly attractive in lithium metal or lithium-ion based electrochemical systems; high purity. Electrochemical testing of the newly proposed PUREBLACK ® Carbons in several battery systems offers significant promise that it presents a viable solution to the needs of industry.