Graphite - like conducting materials were
encapsulated in the channels of new mesoporous MCM-
41 materials with typical channel diameters of 30-40 Ä.
Acrylonitrile was introduced into the hosts via vapor
transport, then polymerized with external radical
initiators, K2S2O8 and HNaSOß. The polymers in the host
cavities were further pyrolyzed at different temperatures
under vacuum or nitrogen atmosphere. The properties of
the polymer systems were studied while encapsulated or
after dissolution of the host. The crystallinity of the hosts
is intact after insertion of the polymer (even after
pyrolysis at 800°C). The formation of conducting
graphite - like materials inside the hosts was
demonstrated with Raman and UV spectra. The nitrogen
to carbon ratio of the pyrolyzed polymers depends on the
pyrolysis temperature and the polymer environment.
Most interestingly, the normalized AC absorption of
pyrolyzed polyacrylonitrile in MCM-41 (at 800°C) is
comparable to graphite
