Mesoporous organosilicas functionalized by alkyl groups: Synthesis, structure and adsorption properties

Abstract

Mesoporous organosilicas were synthesized by sol-gel co-condensation of tetraethoxysilane and appropriate alkoxysilanes in the presence of Pluronic P123 surfactant. Hexyl, dodecyl, and octadecyl alkyl chains have been incorporated into mesopores by such co-condensation. Obtained materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption measurements and thermogravimetry. Two resulted materials have highly ordered SBA-15 structure (p6m symmetry), other two are less ordered. All the materials exhibit well-developed porous structure (surface areas 500 to 830m2/g, pore volumes 0.65-1.32 cm3/g) and a high content of organic pendant groups introduced during co-condensation. All materials are thermally stable to 180°C, after that thermal decomposition of alkyl pendant groups starts. © 2009 IOP Publishing Ltd.