Control of structure, pore size and morphology of three-dimensionally ordered mesoporous silicas prepared using the dicationic surfactant [CH₃(CH₂)₁₅N(CH₃)₂(CH₂)₃N(CH₃)₃]Br₂

Ian Shannon, AE Garcia-Bennett, S Williamson, PA Wright

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

48 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The synthesis of mesoporous silicas in the presence of the dicationic gemini surfactant [CH3 (CH2)(15) N(CH3)(2) (CH2)(3) N(CH3)(3)]Br-2 (C16-3-1) has been investigated at low temperatures (-4 degreesC) under basic and acidic conditions. Under basic conditions, the SBA-2 phase (based on a close-packed arrangement of micelles and exhibiting frequent stacking faults) is observed, with hollow sphere morphology. Under strongly acidic conditions, the phase SBA-1 (Pm (3) over barn) and the SBA-2 family of phases (based on the close packing of micelles) are observed, depending on the surfactant and silicate content of the original gel. Conditions under which the pure hexagonally close-packed end member of the family (P6(3)/mmc) is formed have been identified. SBA-1 and the pure hexagonally close-packed end member are prepared with well-defined morphologies. The adsorption of nitrogen and the hydrocarbons cyclopentane and mesitylene reveal that SBA-2 prepared in basic media has a cage structure where the cages are linked through small (
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3533-3540
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry
Volume12
Issue number12
Early online date29 Oct 2002
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 29 Nov 2002

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