Mesoporous carbon/zirconia composites: a potential route to chemically functionalized electrically-conductive mesoporous materials

Mesoporous nanocomposite materials in which nanoscale zirconia (ZrO(2)) particles are embedded in the carbon skeleton of a templated mesoporous carbon matrix were prepared, and the embedded zirconia sites were used to accomplish chemical functionalization of the interior surfaces of mesopores. These nanocomposite materials offer a unique combination of high porosity (e.g., ～84% void space), electrical conductivity, and surface tailorability. The ZrO(2)/carbon nanocomposites were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, nitrogen-adsorption porosimetry, helium pychnometry, powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Comparison was made with templated mesoporous carbon samples prepared without addition of ZrO(2). Treatment of the nanocomposites with phenylphosphonic acid was undertaken and shown to result in robust binding of the phosphonic acid to the surface of ZrO(2) particles. Incorporation of nanoscale ZrO(2) surfaces in the mesoporous composite skeleton offers unique promise as a means for anchoring organophosphonates inside of pores through formation of robust covalent Zr-O-P bonds.