Synthesis of Mesoporous MSU-X Materials Using Inexpensive Silica Sources

• Published in: Chemistry of materials Vol. 12; no. 7; pp. 1937 - 1940
• Main Authors: Boissière, Cédric, Larbot, André, Prouzet, Eric
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Chemical Society 01.07.2000
• Subjects: Chemical Sciences
• ISSN: 0897-4756; 1520-5002
• DOI: 10.1021/cm001012m

MSU-X materials are a family of ordered mesoporous silica obtained through an assembly mechanism between nonionic poly(ethylene oxide)-based surfactants and silica precursors. Until now, among many advantages, the main drawback of this synthesis was the cost of the silica source, a silicon alkoxide that prevented any application where large amounts of material are required. We report that a new two-step synthesis pathway implying first the stabilization of a microemulsion made of both nonionic surfactants and a silica source and then the silica condensation through a fluoride-helped catalysis can be extended to cheaper silica sources than the silicon alkoxide usually used. Both sodium silicate or colloidal silica lead to sodium- and fluoride-free materials that exhibit exactly the same structures and properties as those previously reported [Boissiere et al. J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun. 1999, 20, 2047]. In addition, with the process occurring in slightly acidic aqueous medium, at moderate temperatures, and in open-air containers, the use of both surfactant and low-cost silica reagents opens up the field of large-scale preparation for the mesoporous MSU-X silica.