Porous carbon and carbon composite hollow spheres

In this communication, we propose a template approach toward synthesis of carbon hollow spheres by direct carbonization of highly crosslinked sulfonated polystyrene gel hollow spheres (sPS). The sulfonic acid group can facilitate carbonization. Moreover, the acid group can also induce a favorable growth of other materials within the sPS gel-forming carbon-based composite shell such as bi-continuous C/SiO2 and their derivative ceramic SiC. Release of small molecules during polymers decomposition results porous shell.