Incorporation of inorganic nanoparticles into mesoporous carbons synthesized by soft templating

Mesoporous carbon monoliths with embedded alumina and silica nanoparticles were synthesized using phloroglucinol and formaldehyde as carbon precursors and poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymer as a soft template. While the carbon mesostructure was not significantly affected by embedding silica nanoparticles (similar to 20 nm), this was not the case for the incorporation of alumina nanoparticles (similar to 50 nm). In the latter case a gradual reduction in the carbon mesoporosity was observed with increasing loading of alumina nanoparticles. Since various inorganic nanoparticles of different sizes and shapes are available commercially, the soft-templating synthesis route is a very promising way for the design of carbon-based materials with embedded nanoparticles of desired properties.