Production of carbon aerogels from BioChoice lignin

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material, carbon aerogel. We aim to investigate the feasibility of converting BioChoiceTM lignin to aerogels and to their carbon derivatives. In order to obtain lignin-based wet gels, phenol and formaldehyde will be used to induce the condensation/gelation reactions in the presence of NaOH as the catalyst. To achieve that, phenol and formaldehyde at determined fractions will be added to BioChoiceTM lignin solution prepared under alkaline conditions and the final mixtures will be transferred to molds, sealed and heat-treated at 85ºC for 3-5 days. Resulting gels will be solvent exchanged with ethanol or acetone for 3-5 days to remove the aqueous phase. Supercritical CO2 drying or ambient-pressure drying will be employed to remove the solvents within the wet gels. Carbonization (pyrolysis) of the resulting aerogels will be performed under inert gas atmosphere (nitrogen) in a tube furnace at temperatures above 700ºC. The structural texture and morphology of carbon aerogels will be evaluated by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Fourier-transmission infrared and Raman spectroscopy will be used to elucidate the gelation-induced changes in the chemical functionalities of BioChoiceTM lignin and graphitic structure of resulting carbon aerogels, respectively. Specific surface area, total pore volume; pore size distribution will be analyzed using nitrogen adsorption experiments. In addition, BioChoiceTM lignin-based carbon aerogel will be tested for one specific end-use application, as a supercapacitor electrode. The electrochemical energy storage capability of a produced electrode will be tested and its performance will be compared with an existing fossil fuel based similar product.