Effects of SBS addition and temperature on 3D siliceous mesostructured cellular foam

Abstract

Siliceous mesostructured cellular foam with three-dimensional (3D) wormhole structure (MSU-type) is prepared by using triblock copolymer (poly(styrene- b-butadiene- b-styrene), SBS) with both hydrophobic head and tail group as template in strong acid condition via microemulsion method. The effects of SBS addition and temperature on the morphology and physicochemical properties, such as pore diameters, surface areas and pore volumes of the materials have been investigated by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and nitrogen adsorption–desorption analysis. The results show that the pore volumes, pore sizes and specific surface areas depend strongly on the SBS amount and forming micelles temperature. Moreover, the materials obtained with high wall thickness exhibit a relatively good thermal stability.