Comprehensive study of pore evolution, mesostructural stability, and simultaneous surface functionalization of...

Fuctionalization of porous carbon materials through chemical methods orientates the development of new hybrid materials with specific functions. In this paper, a comprehensive study of pore evolution, mesostructural oxidation resistance, and simultaneous surface functionalization of ordered mesoporous carbon FDU-15 under various oxidation conditions is presented for the first time. The mesostructure and pore evolution with increasing oxidative strength are retrieved from XRD, TEM, and N(2) sorption techniques. The textural properties can be conveniently manipulated by changing the oxidation parameters, including different oxidative solution, temperature, and duration. It is revealed that the mesoporous carbon FDU-15 shows excellent structural stability under severe oxidation treatments by acidic (NH(4))(2)S(2)O(8), HNO(3), and H(2)O(2) solutions, much more stable than the mesostructural analogue CMK-3 carbon prepared by the nanocasting method. The surface area and porosity deteriorate to a large extent compared to the pristine carbon, with the micropores/small mesopores as the major contribution to the deterioration. The micropore/small mesopore can be blocked by the attached surface oxides under mild oxidation, while reopened with more carbon layer dissolution under more severe conditions. Simultaneously, high densities of surface oxygen complexes, especially carboxylic groups, can be generated. The contents and properties of the surface oxygen-containing groups are extensively studied by FTIR, TG, elemental analyses, and water and ammonia adsorption techniques. Such surface-functionalized mesoporous carbons can be used as a highly efficient adsorbent for immobilization of heavy metal ions as well as functional organic and biomolecules, with high capacities and excellent binding capabilities. Thus, we believe that the functionalized mesoporous carbon materials can be utilized as a promising solid and stable support for water treatment and organic/biomolecules immobilization and may be applicable in drug delivery, separation, adsorption technology, and columns for GC and HPLC systems in the near future.