Sol-gel chemistry of carbon
Sol-gel chemistry is the classical term for the bottom-up synthesis of colloidal gels, i.e. a continuous structure of aggregated solid particles in the colloidal range (e.g. spherical nanoparticles). If the solid is dispersed in air the materials are called aerogels (Figure 1). Aerogels sometimes show extremely high surface areas and porosity.
Figure 1
In carbon aerogels the continuous structure allows for high electrical conductivity. Together with a high surface area and transport porosity it makes carbon aerogels promising candidates for electrochemical devices for energy storage and conversion.