Soft-template synthesis of ordered mesoporous carbon/nanoparticle nickel composites with a high surface area

Ordered mesoporous carbon/nanoparticle nickel composites have been synthesized via multi-component co-assembly strategy associated with a direct carbonization process from resol, tetraethyl orthosilicate, Ni(NO3)2·6H2O and triblock copolymer F127 and subsequent silicates removal with NaOH solution. The incorporation of rigid silicates in the pore walls can reduce framework shrinkage significantly during the pyrolysis process, creating large mesopores. Moreover, plenty of complementary small pores caused by silica removal are observed in the carbon pore walls, which contribute to the large surface area. The mesoporous carbon/nanoparticle nickel composites with a low Ni content (1.7 wt%) possess ordered two-dimensional hexagonal structure, large mesopores (6.8 nm), high surface area (1580 m2 g−1) and large pore volume (1.42 cm3 g−1). Magnetic Ni nanocrystals with particle size of ∼16.0 nm are confined in the matrix of carbon frameworks. With increase of Ni content, the surface area and pore volume of the composites decrease. The particle size of metallic Ni nanocrystals increases up to 20.3 nm, when its content increases to 10 wt%. These carbon/nanoparticle nickel composites with high surface area, large pore size and superparamagnetic property show excellent adsorption properties for bulky dye fuchsin base and an easy separation procedure.

Graphical abstractOrdered mesoporous carbon/nanoparticle nickel composites have been synthesized via co-assembly of resol, tetraethyl orthosilicate, Ni(NO3)2·6H2O and triblock copolymer F127, following by carbonization and silicates removal. These composites with high surface area, large pore size and superparamagnetic property show excellent adsorption properties for bulky dye and an easy separation procedure.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights► We demonstrate an easy route for the synthesis of ordered mesoporous magnetic carbons by multi-component co-assembly of triblock copolymer F127, resol, TEOS and nickel nitrate, followed by carbonization and silica removal with NaOH solution. ► The presence of rigid silicates in the composites greatly inhibits framework shrinkage during the carbonization, yielding large-pore silica/carbon/nanoparticle nickel composites. ► The obtained magnetic mesoporous carbons have plenty of small pores in the walls, resulting in high surface area and large pore volume of the carbon/nanoparticle nickel composites. ► Nickel species are spontaneously reduced to metallic nickel nanoparticles during the carbonization process, which endues the composites with magnetic property. The framework prevents Ni nanoparticles from aggregation and degradation. ► These ordered magnetic mesoporous carbon/nanoparticle nickel composites with high surface area and large pore size show excellent adsorption properties for bulky dye fuchsin base and an easy separation procedure.