This study is the first report on the preparation of mesoporous carbon/silica (MCS) nanocomposites with tunable mesoporosity and hydrophobicity using
natural rubber (NR) as a renewable and cheap carbon source. A series of mesoporous nanocomposites based on NR and hexagonal mesoporous silica (HMS)
were prepared via an in situ sol-gel process and used as precursors; then, they were converted into MCS materials by controlled carbonization. The NR/HMS
precursors exhibited a high dispersion of rubber phase incorporated into the mesostructured silica framework as confirmed by small-angle X-ray scattering
and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. An increase in the carbonization temperature up to 700 degrees C resulted in MCS nanocomposites
with a well-ordered mesostructure and uniform framework-confined wormhole-like channels. The NR/HMS nanocomposites possessed high specific surface
area (500-675 m(2) g(-1)) and large pore volume (1.14-1.44 cm(3) g(-1)). The carbon content of MCS (3.0-16.1 wt%) was increased with an increase in the
H2SO4 concentration. Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the high dispersion of graphene oxide-like carbonaceous
moieties in MCS materials; the type and amount of oxygen-containing groups in obtained MCS materials were determined by H2SO4 concentration. The
enhanced hydrophobicity of MCS nanocomposites was related to the carbon content and the depletion of surface silanol groups, as confirmed by the water
sorption measurement. The study on the controlled release of diclofenac in simulated gastrointestinal environment suggests a potential application of MCS
materials as drug carriers.