Simple preparation of ordered mesoporous carbons assisted by an organosilicate as a linking material

Ordered mesoporous carbon materials (OMCs) were prepared from a silica–carbon composite assisted by 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS) in an aqueous phase. The obtained OMCs have a high surface area, large pore volume and uniform pore structure. MPTMS plays an important role in linking the polymer part with silica part to form a mesoporous structure. Importantly, the amount of MPTMS used is an important determinant in the development of a uniform mesoporosity. The method described herein has some important advantages over existing methods, such as simplified synthesis steps for the preparation of OMCs, the fact that the aqueous phase can be used and that the resulting materials have a high surface area of more than 1700 m2/g.