Synthesis and characterization of mesoporous carbon thin films from phloroglucinol/surfactant self-assembly

A phloroglucinol/surfactant self-assembly was employed to form mesoporous carbon thin films. The self-assembly was cross-linked with formaldehyde to form structured phenol resins and was then carbonized to obtain the mesoporous carbon films. Observation of the bare and etched surfaces showed that the obtained films were uniform and had ordered mesopore structures. The composition of the precursor solutions and the temperature of the formaldehyde vapor cross-linking process were varied to obtain films with several structures. The structural change showed a clear trend and was summarized in a phase diagram that revealed the properties of the phloroglucinol/surfactant self-assembly.