Control of the pore size distribution of carbon cryogels by pH adjustment of catalyst solutions

Carbon cryogels (CCGs) with larger pores having mean pore diameters in the range 14-108 nm were synthesized using a sol-gel process from resorcinol and formaldehyde in carbonate buffer solutions by adjusting the total concentrations and pHs of the catalyst components. Lower CO32− catalyst concentration for larger pore formation could be reproducible considering acid-base equilibrium. The resulting CCGs showed molecular sieving characteristics that were suitable for protein adsorption.