Synthesis of submicron spherical Fe–MCM-48 with actual gyroid like structure

Abstract

Highly ordered submicron spherical Fe–MCM-48 was successfully synthesized by a mixed surfactant method using cheap water glass as silica source. The gyroid like structure of MCM-48 was captured by a TEM image for the first time, and it was corresponded well to the previous simulated gyroid model. A tentative mechanism of homogenization cooperative process involving the Helmholtz double electrical layer was purposed. After the loading of metal Ag, the resulting Ag/Fe–MCM-48 catalyst showed good catalytic performance in the catalytic combustion of benzene.