Synthesis of carbon fibers arrays by the sol-gel process

This study presents a new route for the synthesis of carbon gels with a structure that includes aligned fibers of the same material. A modification of the heating process during polymerization of resorcinol and formaldehyde produces a combination of the classical polymeric nodules in carbon gels with arrays of totally aligned fibers. This new morphology, produced through a very simple process, opens up new application possibilities to the already numerous existing ones for carbon gels.We are grateful to the Spanish Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad (CTQ2017-87820-R) and the Principality of Asturias–FICYT-FEDER(IDI/2018/000118) for their financial support.Peer reviewe