Self-assembly synthesis of ordered mesoporous carbon thin film by a dip-coating technique

Ordered mesoporous carbon thin film has been successfully fabricated by self-assembly. The resorcinol/formaldehyde was used as carbon precursor and a neutral surfactant C16H33(OCH2CH2)20OH (Brij58) was used as structure-directing agent. Its mesostructure was characterized by X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicate this carbon film has uniform mesopores and high carbonization yield. The hydrogen-bonding interaction between the groups of Brij58 and RF resin can obviously improve the carbonization yield of RF resin, which could result in little mesoscopic lattice contraction in mesoporous carbon film. That means a continuous large-area mesoporous carbon film with crack-free is easier to prepare, which could be significant for practical application of mesoporous carbon film in future. This mesoporous carbon film could have many potential applications in many areas such as separation membranes, chemical sensors, reactors membranes, and membrane catalytic electrodes.

Graphical abstractThe ordered mesoporous carbon film is formed, and the d-spacing of mesoporous carbon film does not obviously contract during the carbonization according to XRD.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► The ordered mesoporous carbon thin film was successfully synthesized. ► Synthesis route of mesoporous carbon using the soft template method. ► No obvious d-spacing contraction of the film during the carbonization. ► Great application potential in catalysis, absorption and electrochemistry.