Reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) is an open-pore, very light, electrically conductive three-dimensional foam made of glassy carbon. Its void fraction is about 90-97% depending on the maker and pore density, so it offers a very large surface area for its volume. The literature quotes about 65 cm² of surface per cm³ of volume for the 100 PPI grade.

When electrolyte is pumped through the foam (a flow-through cell), mass transport is very good, which is why it is preferred for metal ion removal, flow batteries and electrolysis of low-concentration species. This product is the 100 PPI (pores per inch) grade; the material is brittle and must be supported in use.

Key Features

Open-pore three-dimensional glassy carbon skeleton
100 PPI pore density; about 65 cm²/cm³ surface area in the literature
About 90-97% void fraction; low resistance to electrolyte flow
10 mm thick; two sizes: 100 × 50 and 100 × 100 mm
Brittle skeleton: cut with a sharp blade without crushing; make sure contact with the current collector is uniform
Common practice: wet first with a solvent such as ethanol and exchange into the electrolyte to reduce trapped air
Oxidizes significantly in air above about 315 °C; keep below this temperature

Technical Specifications

Material	Reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) foam
Pore density	100 PPI (pores per inch)
Thickness	10 mm
Sizes (width × length)	100 × 50 mm, 100 × 100 mm
Void fraction (typical)	About 90-97% (depends on PPI and maker)
Surface area (100 PPI, literature)	About 65 cm²/cm³
Bulk density (typical)	About 0.045 g/cm³ (about 3% solid; maker data)
Temperature limit in air	About 315 °C (significant oxidation above this)
Mechanical behavior	Brittle; must be supported in use
Typical configuration	Flow-through cell; electrolyte and current flow in the same direction