Comparison of Coal-Based Carbon Substrates for Nanostructured Metallic Particles

The prospects for using carbon substrates produced by the high-temperature (800°C) alkaline (KOH) activation of A and D coal and sapropelic coal are considered. Active particles are subsequently applied to the surface of the carbon substrates so as to obtain functional materials. The results of IR spectroscopy and technical analysis, as well as differential scanning calorimetry, indicate that the carbon substrates produced from D coal are the most promising. The presence of numerous –OH and –C=O groups in that case facilitates the reduction of metals at the carbonized surface, and hence the active particles at its surface are more disperse.