Surface modification of nanocast ordered mesoporous carbons through a wet oxidation method

An ordered mesoporous carbon was synthesized by chemical vapor deposition using SBA-15 silica as solid template and propylene as carbon precursor. It was submitted to several liquid oxidation treatments by means of HNO3 and H2O2 under different oxidation conditions in order to modify its surface chemistry while keeping its structure and porous texture as unmodified as possible. Original and modified OMC samples were characterized using different techniques such as nitrogen adsorption at - 196 degrees C, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, elemental analysis, temperature programmed desorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A higher amount of oxygen functional groups was introduced on the material surface by using HNO3 than by means of H2O2, but the original surface texture and structural arrangement were kept unchanged in both cases. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.