Mesoporous carbon materials monoliths

The morphology of ordered mesostructured carbons is another important factor with respect to their practical applications. Various macroscopic morphologies are required, for example, films (in sensor, separation and optical applications), uniformly sized spheres (in chromatography) or transparent monoliths. Using suitable synthesis strategies, it is possible to control the external shape of the templated mesoporous carbon materials to generate powders, films and membranes, spheres, hollow spheres, rods, fibres, nanowires, nanotubes and monoliths. 

Lang, J. W., X. B. Yan, W. W. Liu, R. T. Wang, and Q. J. Xue. 2012. Influence of nitric acid modification of ordered mesoporous carbon materials on their capacitive performances in different aqueous electrolytes. Journal of Power Sources 204 220-229. Wang, D. W., F. Li, L. C. Yin et al. 2012. Nitrogen-doped carbon monolith for alkaline supercapacitors and understanding nitrogen-induced redox transitions. Chemistry -A European Journal 18 5345-5351. 

Monolithic carbons are easier to handle than powdered materials. Direct shaping of monolithic mesoporous carbons during their preparation is highly desirable. Mesoporous carbon monoliths may be fabricated by using mesoporous silica monoliths as template. Carbon monoliths with well-developed and accessible porosity have been produced using silica monoliths with a hierarchical structure containing macropores and meso-pores as templates and furfuryl alcohol or sucrose as a carbon precur-... 

FIGURE 12.5 Carbon monolith synthesis using resorcinol-crotonaldehyde polymer as carbon precursor. The polymerization took place in the pores of the large silica monoliths. Silver nanoparticles could also be dispersed in the silica template and transferred to the final templated carbon materials. The carbons retained the monolithic shape of the silica template and resisted chemical activation with potassium hydroxide (KOH). After activation, carbons exhibited microporous-mesoporous structures. (From Jaroniec, M. et al., Chemistry of Materials, 20, 1069, 2008. With permission.)... 

Maldonado-Hodar F J, Moreno-Castilla C, Perez-Cadenas A F (2004) Surface morphology, metal dispersion, and pore texture of transition metal-doped monolithic carbon aerogels and steam-activated derivatives. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials 69 119-125... 

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