Mesoporous Carbon/Zirconia Composites: A Potential Route to Chemically Functionalized Electrically-Conductive Mesoporous Materials

Abstract

Mesoporous nanocomposite materials in which nanoscale zirconia (ZrO₂) particles are embedded in the carbon skeleton of a templated mesoporous carbon matrix were prepared, and the embedded zirconia sites were used to accomplish chemical functionalization of the interior surfaces of mesopores. These nanocomposite materials offer a unique combination of high porosity (e.g., ∼84% void space), electrical conductivity, and surface tailorability. The ZrO₂/carbon nanocomposites were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, nitrogen-adsorption porosimetry, helium pychnometry, powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Comparison was made with templated mesoporous carbon samples prepared without addition of ZrO₂. Treatment of the nanocomposites with phenylphosphonic acid was undertaken and shown to result in robust binding of the phosphonic acid to the surface of ZrO₂ particles. Incorporation of nanoscale ZrO₂ surfaces in the mesoporous composite skeleton offers unique promise as a means for anchoring organophosphonates inside of pores through formation of robust covalent Zr–O–P bonds