Selective Fabrication of Carbon Nanocapsules and Mesocellular Foams by Surface-Modified Colloidal Silica Templating

Two types of carbon materials, i.e., nanocapsules and mesocellular foams, have been selectively synthesized by combining surface-modified colloidal silica templating and microemulsion polymerization. Carbon nanocapsules (see Figure) of 30 nm diameter, and mesocellular carbon foams with an average pore diameter of 22 nm can be produced using the same synthetic procedure by controlling the experimental conditions.