Phase control of ordered mesoporous carbon synthesized by a soft-templating method

Ordered mesoporous carbons with different pore structures (COU-1 and COU-2) were synthesized by a soft-templating method using precursor solutions with different mass ratios of triblock copolymer Pluronic F127/resorcinol–formaldehyde (RF) resin. The precipitation of RF–F127 self-assembly was observed in the solution after a reaction at room temperature. The masses of the precipitate and unreacted RF and/or F127 dissolved in the solution were measured. Thermogravimetric analysis for the precipitate and the unreacted components was conducted under nitrogen atmosphere. These results indicate that one hydrophilic tail of Pluronic F127 molecule interacts with 70–100 resorcinol molecules for COU-1 and 45–65 resorcinol molecules for COU-2, respectively. The phase transition from COU-1 to COU-2 can be explained by an increase of a modified packing parameter (g value). The effect of the composition of the precursor solution not only on the pore structure and volume but also on the yield of the composite is quantitatively discussed.

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► The ordered mesoporous carbons were synthesized.
► The yield of the composites was increased with increasing the mass ratio of F127/RF.
► The mesopore volume of carbons increased with increasing the mass ratios of F127/RF.
► One F127 molecule interacts with 140-200 resorcinol molecules for COU-1.
► One F127 molecule interacts with 90-130 resorcinol molecules for COU-2.