Preparation of highly-ordered mesoporous carbons by organic-organic self-assembly using the reverse amphiphilic triblock copolymer PPO–PEO–PPO with a long hydrophilic chain

A family of highly ordered mesoporous carbons (OMCs) were prepared by the organic-organic self-assembly of a reverse amphiphilic triblock copolymer with a soluble in ethanol, low-molecular-molar phenolic resin. The self-assembly was induced by evaporation. Small angle X-ray scattering, transmission electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms evaluated by the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method have been used to characterize the OMCs. Phase transitions from a lamellar (L∞) one dimensional pore system with pore size centered at 6.3 nm to a hexagonal (p6mm) two dimensional pore system with tunable pore size from 3.5–3.9 nm, to a cubic (Fd3¯m) three dimensional cagelike pore system with a tri-modal pore structure and finally to another disordered cubic mesoporous carbons, are observed by finely tuning the molar ratios of the phenol/formaldehyde/NaOH/template. All the OMCs had high surface area and a uniform pore size. The results show that by increasing the hydrophilicity of the system by changing the molar ratios of reactants, the mesophase can be tailored conveniently. Furthermore, these transitions help us understand the mechanism of the formation of mesophase to produce different OMCs.

A scheme of mesophase transition of OMCs-X.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Ordered mesoporous carbons (OMCs) were prepared by only one reverse copolymer.
► OMC with lamellar structure was synthesized.
► Phase transitions of OMCs with different structure are observed.