INELASTIC NEUTRON-SCATTERING STUDY OF PROTON DYNAMICS IN CARBON-BLACKS

Inelastic neutron scattering spectra from 16 to 4000 cm(-1) of various carbon blacks (rubber blacks, graphitized black, post-oxidized gas bl ack) and activated carbon at 30 K are presented. They reveal new aspec ts of proton dynamics in these samples. The nearly proton-free graphit ized sample is similar to pure graphite. All spectra reveal a continuu m of intensity which is attributed to the recoil of free protons inser ted in the basic structural units. On the top of the continuum, more o r less well-defined bands are attributed to protons either chemically bound at the border of the basic structural units or, in the case of t he post-oxidized gas black, trapped in topological defects. The activa ted carbon is dominated by bands due to OH groups. The integrated inte nsities are not simply related to proton concentrations given by analy tical techniques. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd