Carbon Spheres: Seeded Synthesis of Monodisperse Core–Shell and Hollow Carbon Spheres (Small 32/2016)

On page 4357, C. López and co-workers perform a profuse and systematic study of factors affecting the hydrothermal synthesis of carbon spheres on polystyrene seeds. This green reaction allows the synthesis of hybrid polystyrene-carbon spheres monodisperse to below 5% with no-aggregation, in a size range between 500 and 900 nm (the range of interest for optical applications). These hybrid polystyrene-carbon spheres can be easily transformed into hollow carbon spheres with preserved monodispersity. Monodispersity and the ability to control porosity make them very attractive for various applications.