Direct fabrication of mesoporous carbons using in-situ polymerized silica gel networks as a template

Mesoporous carbons were synthesized by in-situ polymerized silica gel networks as a template. The co-condensation of carbon precursor (sucrose) and silica precursor (sodium silicate) followed by heat treatment generated a carbon/silica nanocomposite. After etching the silica template, mesoporous carbons were obtained. Under optimum synthesis conditions a mesoporous carbon with a high surface area of >800 m(2)/g and a narrow pore size distribution centered at 3 nm was produced. The three-dimensionally interconnected silica structures effectively functioned as the template for the porous carbon materials. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.