(675c) Impact of Synthesis Conditions on the Nanoporosity of Carbon-Silica Composites

Several carbon-silica composite materials have been synthesized from MCM-41 and furfuryl alcohol. The materials are completely nanoporous, have high surface areas, and pore size distributions centered near 12 Angstroms. In order to determine the sensitivity of the resulting carbon to synthesis conditions, materials were prepared using different furfuryl alcohol solvents and were polymerized and carbonized at either atmospheric pressure, 5 atm, or under vacuum. The surface area of the materials is affected by both solvent selection and the pressure at which carbonization takes place. The results are consistent with work done by others, which documents furfuryl alcohol decomposing, liberating gaseous products, and spontaneously generating nanoporosity when carbonized. The high surface area and narrow pore size distribution of these materials provides evidence that carbon-silica composites may be suitable candidates for novel separations.