First evidence of interconnected micro and mesopores in CMK-3 materials

The porous structure and the pore interconnections of mesoporous carbon of CMK-3 type have been studied by means of hyperpolarized (129)Xe NMR spectroscopy. Parallel studies of purely microporous carbon and CMK-3 have unambiguously revealed he presence of micropores inside the CMK-3 structure. In addition, (129)Xe 2D-exchange NMR experiments have clearly shown direct exchange of Xe atoms between the micro and the mesoporosity. This indicates the presence of micropores inside the carbon rods constituting the mesoporous structure of CMK-3 materials. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.