A method of forming a mesoporous carbon sorbent for removal of carbon dioxide from a gaseous material includes mixing, polymerizing, and pyrolyzing materials. The method includes mixing a nitrogen-containing material with a hydroxylated benzene and an aldehyde in a solvent. The method includes polymerizing the hydroxylated benzene and the aldehyde to form a porous polymer including the nitrogen-containing material. The method includes pyrolyzing the porous polymer to for a mesoporous carbon sorbent having an average pore width greater than about 3 nm.