WASHINGTON, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists have proposed a simple, effective, and versatile method to make carbon materials (CMs) with high electric conductivity, good chemical stability, and unique microstructure, according to a study published in the latest issue of Science Advances.

It has been a significant challenge to develop a facile, low-cost, and highly controllable method for preparing CM with desired constituents and structures in a large scale, according to the study.

A research team from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) used small organic molecules (SOMs) as precursors for preparing CMs.

Previous efforts on the transformation of SOMs into CMs almost relied on harsh synthesis conditions due to the high volatility of SOMs at evaluated temperatures.

The researchers led by professor Yu Shuhong and Liang Haiwei from USTC developed a method of transition metal assisted carbonization of SOMs.

The transition metals can catalyze the preferential formation of thermally stable intermediate polymeric structures and thus avoid the direct sublimation of SOMs during the heating process, which guarantees the successful preparation of CMs with high carbon yield.

The prepared CMs exhibited three different prominent microstructures, including bamboo-like multi-walled carbon nanotube, micrometer-sized nano-sheets and irregular particles, according to the study.

Also, those CMs had high specific surface areas, large pore volumes, and highly graphitic structures.

As a results, the CM showed great application potentials for heterogeneous catalysis, opening a new window for the synthesis of CMs with desired constituents and structures.