Introduction
According to IUPAC definition, porous carbon materials can be classified on the basis of their pore diameters: microporous (pore size < 2nm), mesoporous (2nm < pore size<50 and="" macroporous="" pore="" size="">50 nm). The pore size distribution, shapes, and volume of void spaces in porous material directly relates to their ability to perform the desired function in a particular application.
Fig.1. Electron microscopy images of ordered mesoporous carbon
Typical mesoporous materials include some of carbon, silica and alumina that have similarly sized fine mesopores. In addition, mesoporous oxides of niobium, tantalum, titanium, zirconium, cerium and tin have also been reported. However, the flagship of mesoporous materials is mesoporous carbon which has microporosity within the mesopores, significantly increasing the specific area. In crystalline inorganic materials, mesoporous structure noticeably limits the number of lattice units, and this significantly changes the solid-state chemistry.
Properties
Mesopores carbon materials have remarkable physicochemical properties, including large specific surface area and pore volume, high corrosion resistance, good thermal and mechanical stability, and further considering their easy manufacturing and precursor earth abundance, they can been employed in various applications.
Applications
Environmental adsorbents: The adsorption capacities of mesoporous activated carbons are much higher than those of microporous carbons, confirming the presence of large amounts of mesopores in the former.
Electrochemical energy storage: The battery performance of mesoporous electroactive materials is significantly superior to that of their bulk structure.
Drug delivery: Mesopores carbon materials have large surface area and pore volume which are favorable for drug loading, and the adjustable pore structure enables better control of drug release.
