Template Evolution Induced Relay Self-Assembly for Mesoporous Carbonaceous Materials via Hydrothermal Carbonization

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Electrochemistry

Background:

• Fabricating carbonaceous materials with controlled surface structures is challenging, particularly at high temperatures.
• Existing soft-template methods struggle with stability during high-temperature processes like hydrothermal carbonization (HTC).

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an innovative self-assembly method for producing polyoxometalate (POM)-mixed carbonaceous nanosheets with tailored mesoporous surface architectures.
• To overcome the limitations of traditional templating methods in high-temperature carbonization processes.

Main Methods:

• Utilized template evolution induced relay self-assembly (TEIRSA) involving polyoxometalate (POM) and acetone as additives.
• Modified the Ostwald ripening-like process of P123-based micelles within a hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) framework.
• Demonstrated independent control over surface morphology by selecting different organic additives.

Main Results:

• Successfully fabricated large POM-mixed carbonaceous nanosheets with diverse surface morphologies, including spherical mesopores and 1D open channels.
• The TEIRSA method enhanced the stability of soft templates during the demanding HTC process.
• Achieved tunable surface architectures, offering control over material properties.

Conclusions:

• The developed TEIRSA method provides a robust approach for creating advanced carbon nanosheets with controllable mesoporous structures.
• These materials exhibit versatile properties and significant potential for applications in energy storage, specifically in lithium-sulfur batteries.