Silica template synthesis of ordered mesoporous carbon thick films with 35-nm pore size from mesophase pitch solution

Under a lower carbonization temperature and with a mesophase pitch solution as the carbon precursor, ordered mesoporous carbon thick films with 35-nm pore size have been synthesized using SiO2 spheres as the template. The pore size of the mesoporous carbon thus fabricated was the smallest one ever reported using silica templates. XRD and Raman spectroscopy suggest a microstructure of carbon with low crystallinity. SEM and TEM patterns show a discernible morphology of an ordered hexagonal close-packing of the mesopores interconnected via holes of 6 nm in diameter. A fair BET surface area of 502 m2/g and a total pore volume of 0.861 cm3/g, along with the characteristic pore structure and hysteresis loop, are identified.