Oxidation of porous, carbon-containing materials using fuel and oxidizing agent

A method comprising:

• exposing a silsesquioxane to a hydrocarbon and an oxidizing agent;
• allowing the silsesquioxane to adsorb at least some of the hydrocarbon;
• heating the silsesquioxane to a temperature at which combustion of the adsorbed hydrocarbon occurs;
• cooling the heated silsesquioxane to control the extent of combustion;
• and
• repeating the heating and cooling of the silsesquioxane to promote uniform reactant distribution throughout the silsesquioxane, so that the silsesquioxane is substantially homogeneously oxidized throughout its thickness.

A method comprising:

• exposing a microporous, carbon-containing material to a fuel and an oxidizing agent;
• allowing the microporous, carbon-containing material to adsorb at least some of the fuel;
• and
• heating the microporous, carbon-containing material to a temperature at which combustion of the fuel occurs, to seal pores of the microporous, carbon-containing material adjacent to its surface.