Block copolymer templated synthesis of mesoporous WO3/carbon nanocomposites

We synthesize mesoporous WO3/carbon composites with PS-PVP-PEO polymeric template. The molecularly dissolved polymer in THF self-assembles in positively charged spherical micelles upon the addition of HCl. The negatively charged tungsten source (WO42−) binds strongly with positively charged polymeric micelles. Glucose, WO42−, and micelles are assembled as a mesostructure during solvent evaporation. The carbonization of composites leads to mesoporous WO3/carbon nanocomposites. A polymeric micelle having unique blocks for porogen (polystyrene), reaction site (polyvinyl pyridine), and stabilizer (ethylene oxide) makes the system exceptional to synthesize mesoporous nanocomposites in a one-pot method. The nanocomposites were characterized by dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The electrochemical studies reveal that the composites deliver 381 F.g−1 capacitance with 96% retention in 1 M H2SO4.