Effects of Synthesis Process on Luminescence Properties and Structure of Mesoporous Carbon–Silica Nanocomposite

Abstract

The effects of hydrolysis and polycondensation reactions for synthesizing light-emitting mesoporous carbon–silica (MPCS) nanocomposite on the structure, chemical bonding state, and luminescence properties of MPCS were investigated by controlling the concentration (0.02 to 5 M) of HCl, which was used as a catalyst for hydrolysis and polycondensation. The progress of hydrolysis and polycondensation reactions provides a nanometer-order pore/wall structure and results in a strong light-emitting property. The pore/wall structure was obtained using HCl at concentrations of 0.2 M and higher, but it became disordered with increasing HCl concentration (2 and 5 M). The luminescence color of the MPCS nanocomposite can be changed from yellowish-white to bluish-white by changing the concentration of HCl.