A simple method for synthesis of ordered mesoporous carbon

A series of ordered mesoporous carbons (OMCs) was synthesized via a simple method using a nonionic surfactant (block copolymer) P123 both as a structure–directing agent and as a carbon precursor at different carbonization temperatures (500 °C, 600 °C, 700 °C, and 800 °C). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and small–angle X–ray diffraction (XRD) results indicated that OMC carbonized at 800 °C and 700 °C exhibited a highly ordered mesoporous structure, and the order of OMC decreased as the carbonization temperature decreased. N2–BET analysis showed that the OMCs had BET surface areas of 427–713 m2/g and average pore diameters of 3.1–3.3 nm. Moreover, the BET surface area declined with decreasing carbonization temperature. Raman and wide–angle XRD results indicated that OMCs synthesized under high carbonization temperature exhibited a higher degree of graphitization than those synthesized under low carbonization temperature.