Hierarchical mesoporous carbon/silica nanocomposites from phenyl-bridged organosilane

The synthesis of ordered mesoporous carbon/silica composites with unique pore walls that were composed of molecularly integrated silica and carbon was analyzed. The sample was synthesized by carbonization of an ordered mesostructured phenylene/silica hybrid with both meso- and molecular-scale ordering. It was found that the removal of silica resulted in the formation of mesoporous carbon that could be used for hydrogen storage, catalysts, fuel cells, and other applications. It was also found that the incorporation of the carbon into the pore wall improved the thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties of the sample.