High surface area carbon aerogel monoliths with hierarchical porosity

This letter describes the synthesis and structural characterization of monolithic carbon aerogel (CA) materials that possess both high surface areas and hierarchical porosity. Thermal activation of a macroporous CA structure, one that was derived from an acetic acid-catalyzed sol–gel polymerization reaction, yields monolithic materials with large pore volumes and surface areas exceeding 3000 m2/g. Given the flexibility of CA synthesis, this approach offers viability to engineer new materials for use as catalyst supports, electrodes, capacitors and sorbent systems.