Tannin-Based Nanoscale Carbon Spherogels as Electrodes for Electrochemical Applications.

A promising route to monolithic, hollow sphere carbon assemblies based on sustainable precursors with a tailored nanostructure is presented. These carbon assemblies, recently termed carbon spherogels, are generated via a polystyrene sphere template-based sol-gel process of mimosa tannin and biomass-derived 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural. By completely replacing petroleum-based precursors (especially toxic formaldehyde) highly porous, nanoscale carbon monoliths are obtained, which are investigated as state-of-the-art, sustainable electrode materials for energy storage.