Layer-by-Layer Films of Dual-Pore Carbon Capsules with Designable Selectivity of Gas Adsorption

Abstract

Stable, homogeneous ultrathin films of uniformly dimensioned dual-pore carbon capsules with mesoporous walls and macroscopic empty cores were fabricated using layer-by-layer methods based on electrostatic interaction between a polyetectrolyte and a surfactant coating of the carbon capsules. The resulting dual-porous carbon capsule films were investigated as a sensor substrate for vapors of different organic solvents. The carbon capsule films have much higher adsorption capacities than conventional electrolyte films and even than noncapsular mesoporous carbon films. The dual-pore carbon capsules have greater affinities for aromatic volatiles over their aliphatic counterparts, probably due to stronger pi-pi interactions. Additionally, the adsorption selectivity can be designed. Impregnation of additional recognition components into the