Colloidal silica templating synthesis of carbonaceous monoliths assuring formation of uniform spherical mesopores and incorporation of inorganic nanoparticles

Colloidal silica templating synthesis was successfully used to prepare carbon monoliths with uniform spherical pores. Uniformity of the mesopores was assured by formation of a phenolic resin-type carbon precursor on the entire surface of a monolithic colloidal silica template pretreated with oxalic acid as a catalyst. Carbonization of the phenolic resin present in the pores of the colloidal silica template followed by silica dissolution afforded monolithic carbons with tailorable pore sizes reflecting the sizes of the silica colloids used. This synthesis strategy is also convenient for the introduction of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles into mesoporous carbon monoliths. Additional activation of the aforementioned carbon monoliths with KOH introduced substantial microporosity, which makes these materials attractive for a variety of applications, including adsorption and catalysis.