Synthesis of mesoporous carbon using enzymatically polymerized polyphenolic precursor and simultaneously assembled silica template

Mesoporous carbon has been synthesized via carbonization of silica/poly(4-ethylphenol)/surfactant nanocomposites that were prepared by simultaneous assembly and enzymatic polymerization. Subsequent removal of the silica template results in mesoporous carbon with large pore diameter (∼9 nm), high surface area (∼1400 m2/g) and large pore volume (∼1.7 cm3/g).