Optimizing surfactant removal from a soft-templated ordered mesoporous carbon precursor: an in situ SAXS study

Max Rauscher, Malina Seyffertitz, Richard Kohns, Sebastian Stock, Heinz Amenitsch, Nicola Huesing, Oskar Paris

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

In situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was employed to identify critical parameters during thermal treatment for template removal of an ordered mesoporous carbon precursor synthesized via a direct soft-templating route. The structural parameters obtained from the SAXS data as a function of time were the lattice parameter of the 2D hexagonal structure, the diameter of the cylindrical mesostructures and a power-law exponent characterizing the interface roughness. Moreover, detailed information on contrast changes and pore lattice order was obtained from analysis of the integrated SAXS intensity of the Bragg and diffuse scattering separately. Five characteristic regions during heat treatment were identified and discussed regarding the underlying dominant processes. The influence of temperature and O2/N2 ratio on the final structure was analyzed, and parameter ranges were identified for an optimized template removal without strongly affecting the matrix. The results indicate that the final structure and controllability of the process are optimum for temperatures between 260 and 300°C with a gas flow containing 2 mol% of O2.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)801-809
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of applied crystallography
Volume56.2023
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 May 2023

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