Surface modification of activated carbon and fullerene black by Diels-Alder reaction

Activated carbon and fullerene black react with cyclopentadiene at room temperature or slightly elevated temperature. At higher temperature a retro-Diels-Alder reaction takes place. The reaction with the diene and the retro-Diels-Alder reaction could be repeated. As a consequence of the reaction with cyclopentadiene or other suitable dienes and the retro reaction, the surface structure of different carbons changed considerably. The surface area of micropores on fullerene black was much higher than for the original sample. The influence on the surface area of porosity is reported for two different types of carbon.