Synthesis and characterization of novel mesoporous silica with large wormhole-like pores: Use of TBOS as silicon source

Abstract

SBA-15 was synthesized by hydrothermal process using tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS), tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), tetrapropyl orthosilicate (TPOS), and tetrabutyl orthosilicate (TBOS) as silicon source in a stirred tank reactor provided with a mixer. The synthesized samples were characterized by SAXS, BET, TEM and SEM. The materials prepared with TMOS, TEOS and TPOS showed the same textural properties as those of SBA-15. When TBOS was used as silicon source, however, both pore size and particle size were larger than those of the samples prepared with other silicon alkoxides, and the resultant sample showed a three-dimensional wormhole-like pore structure.