Soft-templated ordered mesoporous carbon materials: Synthesis, structural modification and functionalization

Abstract

Ordered mesoporous carbon materials (OMCs) have potentially broad applications in many fields, such as adsorption, separation, catalysis, and energy storage/conversion. Compared with the elaborate hardtemplate strategy, the soft-template approach, which is based on the self-assembly between amphiphilic block copolymers and polymerizable precursors (e.g., phenolic resins), is a more effective and efficient method for the synthesis of OMCs. In this review, the mechanism and characteristics for three main soft-template methods, i.e., solvent evaporation-induced self-assembly synthesis, aqueous cooperative self-assembly synthesis and solvent-free synthesis, are discussed and compared. In addition, a few highlights of recent progress, including application of novel carbon precursors, structural modification and functionalization of OMCs, are outlined. Finally, we summarize the crucial issues to be addressed in developing the synthesis methodology of OMCs.