Different porous carbons were synthesized using direct self-assembly of a nonionic surfactant (PEO140PPO39PEO140, PEO poly(ethylene oxide) and PPO poly(propylene oxide)) and a phenolic resin. According to dynamic light scattering (DLS) experiments realized before the flocculation, the formation of covered hybrid micelles (precursors of ordered mesoporous materials) competes with the formation of resol particles depending on the surfactant concentration. High synthesis temperature increases the formation of mesoporosity. When monomers (instead of oligomers) are used as resin precursors, the mesoporosity is also enhanced. However in this case, the formation of resol particles is also favored. The obtained materials are mainly microporous, indicating that the formed polymer/surfactant hybrid micelles are not stable enough to template the formation of highly mesoporous carbons. Appropriate interaction between the surfactant micelles and resin precursor species, as well as the polymerization degree of the resin, is crucial for obtaining polymer/surfactant hybrid micelles that conduce to mesoporous carbons.
dynamic light scattering (DLS); porous carbons by surfactant templating; polymer particle formation
