Constructing Unique Mesoporous Carbon Superstructures via Monomicelle Interface Confined Assembly

Abstract

Constructing hierarchical three-dimensional (3D) mesostructures with unique pore structure, controllable morphology, highly accessible surface area, and appealing functionality remains a great challenge in materials science. Here, we report a monomicelle interface confined assembly approach to fabricate an unprecedented type of 3D mesoporous N-doped carbon superstructure for the first time. In this hierarchical structure, a large hollow locates in the center (∼300 nm in diameter), and an ultrathin monolayer of spherical mesopores (∼22 nm) uniformly distributes on the hollow shells. Meanwhile, a small hole (4.0–4.5 nm) is also created on the interior surface of each small spherical mesopore, enabling the superstructure to be totally interconnected. Vitally, such interconnected porous supraparticles exhibit ultrahigh accessible surface area (685 m2 g–1) and good underwater aerophilicity due to the abundant spherical mesopores. Additionally, the number (70–150) of spherical mesopores, particle size (22 and 42 nm), and shell thickness (4.0–26 nm) of the supraparticles can all be accurately manipulated. Besides this spherical morphology, other configurations involving 3D hollow nanovesicles and 2D nanosheets were also obtained. Finally, we manifest the mesoporous carbon superstructure as an advanced electrocatalytic material with a half-wave potential of 0.82 V (vs RHE), equivalent to the value of the commercial Pt/C electrode, and notable durability for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).

Aerophilic Triphase Interface Tuned by Carbon Dots Driving Durable and Flexible Rechargeable Zn-Air Batteries

“…Based on the Cassie-Baxter wetting regime [ 64 ], the loose sponge structure of Co@C–O–Cs improves the adhesion to oxygen bubbles. This strong surface adhesion role can continuously accelerate the diffusion and transfer of O 2 , thus the large amount of reactants at the three-phase interface can boost the ORR/OER kinetics in the alkaline electrolyte [ 65 ].…”

An atomically precise Ag18Cu8nanocluster with rich alkynyl–metal coordination structures and unique SbF6−assembling modes

“…Metal nanomaterials are the basis of functional bulk materials, and they have found wide application in fields including but not limited to catalysis, biology, optics, and energy conversion. [1][2][3][4][5] In the process of understanding the structureproperty relationship and self-assembling behavior of metal nanoparticles (NPs), ever-increasing studies have found that surface coordination chemistry plays a key role. 6 The performance of individual NPs along with their assemblies can be rationalized and even controlled by understanding their local and assembling coordination structures.…”

Unwanted Humins─Promising Precursors for Ordered Mesoporous Carbons

“…Herein, we discovered that the alcohol (ethanol)-soluble fraction of humins (AH) can be directly used to synthesize ordered mesoporous carbons (OMCs) having a highly ordered two-dimensional hexagonal p6mm symmetrical mesoporous structure in the absence of any added cross-linkers (aldehydes or metal ions) by the classical solvent evaporation induced self-assembly method. − The mechanistic feature of self-assembly with AH is that ulmic acid-containing humins act to cross-link micelles according to condensation reactions that have occurred during humins formation. The resulting OMCs are demonstrated to be adsorbents for organic pollutants from aqueous solutions and have high adsorption capacity, fast adsorption rate, and good selectivity for cationic dyes.…”