Surfactant Molar Ratio Research Articles

A green and cost-effective surfactant-assisted synthesis of SAPO-34 using dual microporous templates with improved performance in MTO reaction

The SAPO-34 catalysts were successfully synthesized with different amounts of a cheap and green nonionic surfactant (Triton X-100) as a mesoporogen additive and MOR/TEAOH as microporous mixed templates. The prepared samples were characterized and tested in the methanol to olefins (MTO) reaction under the industrial feed composition of 72 wt% methanol in water. The results revealed that the surfactant concentration affects the acidity, particle size, and textural properties which results in different catalytic performances. The sample prepared with the surfactant molar ratio of 0.02 exhibits a 12% improvement in the light olefins selectivity (90%) as well as the longer catalyst lifetime (more than 330 min) compared to the parent one (79.3% selectivity and 260 min lifetime). This could be attributed to the high crystallinity, smaller crystallite size, proper lower acidity, higher surface area, and the facilitation of reactants and product transportation through mesoporosity created in the structure of crystals.

Binary cationic-anionic surfactant templated synthesis of organic functionalized porous silica nanomaterials

In this study, vinyl-functionalized porous silica (V-P-SiO2) and ureido-functionalized porous silica (UD-P-SiO2) have been synthesized separately by using hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDS) as mixed templates. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR) and N2 adsorption–desorption measurement. The results showed that UD-P-SiO2 with a diversity of morphologies were obtained by judiciously chosen mole ratio of SDS to CTAB (R = nSDS:nCTAB). On the contrast, the mole ratio of surfactants had less effect on the morphologies of V-P-SiO2 until the mole ratio of SDS to CTAB was reached 1.6, however, FTIR proved that it had effect on the vinyl groups in the V-P-SiO2 network framework.

A regression analysis with laboratory validation for the use of reverse micelles to achieve desired nanosized catalytically active sites

Nano-sized catalytic sites can be synthesized using reverse micelles to systematically deposit active metal species onto catalyst supports. The size of these metallic sites is influenced by the synthesis conditions, namely the water to surfactant molar ratio, the surfactant concentrations, and the surfactant type. These parameters can be adjusted to create tunable micro-structures that are catalytically active for specific chemical reactions. From a literature search, the size of catalytic sites was compiled against their respective synthesis conditions. A regression analysis was performed to investigate which parameters had significant effects on the size of the catalytic site. Initial laboratory tests were then carried out using the regression results to develop nano-nickel sites deposited onto TiO2. According to the model, specific surfactant/solvent combinations (i.e. AOT/cyclohexane) and the water to surfactant molar ratio had profound impacts on the size of the produced catalytic site.

One-pot synthesis of alkylammonium-functionalized mesoporous silica hollow spheres in water and films at the air\u2013water interface

This paper reports a one-pot sol–gel approach for the synthesis of the alkylammonium-functionalized mesoporous silica particles with hollow structures and mesoporous silica films via hydrothermal reaction through the self-assembly of N-trimethoxysilylpropyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride (TMAPS) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as a silica source, dodecyldimethyl(3-sulfopropyl)ammonium hydroxide (DDAPS) and fluorocarbon anion (ammonium perfluorooctanoate (APFO)) as the structure-directing agent. The alkylammonium-functionalized hollow mesoporous silica particles exhibited a different morphology, mesoporosity, and hollow structure with a layered mesostructure in the shell according to the DDAPS/APFO surfactant molar ratios (DDAPS/APFO = 3/1~1/9 or APFO in the range of 10~80 mM), reaction times (6~48 h), and reaction temperatures (45~95 °C). Alkylammonium-functionalized hollow mesoporous silica particles with spherical morphologies were produced from precipitation in the bottom of the reaction bottle after the hydrothermal reaction. At a DDAPS/APFO surfactant ratio of 1/3, reaction temperature of 60 °C, and reaction times of 24 h and 48 h, the alkylammonium-functionalized hollow mesoporous silica spheres displayed a multilayered mesostructure in the shell. The sphere size could be controlled from ca. 76 nm to ca. 350 nm with a shell thickness of ca. 35 nm. In addition, alkylammonium-functionalized mesoporous silica films were produced at the air–water interface, whereas hollow mesoporous silica spheres were produced with precipitation in the bottom of the reaction bottle. The film thickness was controlled from ca. 210 nm to ca. 400 nm.

Formulation and Evaluation of Maltodextrin Based Doxorubicin HCl Proniosomes

Aim of the present research work is to prepare and evaluate maltodextrin based proniosomes loaded with doxorubicin HCl. Proniosomes were prepared by slurry method using molar ratios of nonionic surfactant with cholesterol and keeping drug, maltodextrin and DCP constant. The niosomes were prepared by simple hydration and further evaluated for entrapment efficiency, particle size and shape analysis by optical microscopy, in vitro drug release study, kinetic data analysis and model fitting. Stability study by ICH guides lines. The study revels more stable when stored at 4°C. The formulation FD3, which showed entrapment efficiency of 84.88 ± 0.14 and in vitro release over the period of 36h 95.19± 0.20, was found to be best formulation is span 60. The niosomes shows the Korsemayer Peppas exponential n<0.84 indicate the release mechanism was non Ficknian (anomalous transport) i.e. drug released by erosion followed by diffusion mechanism.

Investigation of the solvent sublation patterns of cationic dyes

The basic regularities of removal of cationic dyes are established. The optimal collectors and absorbents are selected. The effect on the sublation process of the following parameters is studied: the type of absorbent, sublation duration, dyer:surfactant molar ratio, pH value of the aqueous phase, initial concentration of solutions of dyes. The highest degree of removal methyl violet, malachite green and crystalline violet is achieved with sodium dodecyl sulfate 97,43 %, 95,78 % and 98,94 % respectively, the optimal pH value is 5-7, dyer:surfactant ratio is 1:1, the duration of the process is 20 minutes, the volume of the organic layer is 10 cm 3

Effects of pore size and surface area on CH4 and CO2 capture in mesostructured MIL-101

Self-assembly of surfactant, chelating agent, metal ions and bridging ligands is an effective method generates mesostructured metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). At present work, we use quaternary ammonium surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as a supramolecular template and citric acid as the chelating agent. Micro, meso- and macro-porous areas were observed from new MOFs indicated interconnected porosities, as pointed out with pore size distribution analyses. The base surface area, pore volume, particle size and morphology can be varied by applying the different molar ratio of surfactant, chelating agent and metal ions. Based on the obtained results, hierarchically mesostructured MIL-101 with augmented pore volume toward primary MOF shows increased CH4 capture with comparison of standard MIL-101. In the case of CO2 adsorption, a kind of synergism of surface area and pore diameter is required to more capacity for the gas can be achieved.

Effects of Molar Ratios Between Surfactant and Aniline in Synthesis of Polyaniline

Conductive polymers are widely used in many applications such as sensors, solar cells, diodes, electrodes, and actuators. Among of conductive polymers, Polyaniline (PANI) has gained more interests due to high environmental stability, electrical conductivity, easy processability, and low cost. Synthesis of PANI with different molar ratios between Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) and Aniline (An) ([DBSA]/[An]) at 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 were investigated. The increased molar ratio of surfactant affects to improvement in higher electrical conductivity of 18.91 × 10−2 S/m. This is due to the increasing of doping in PANI-DBSA which can be obtained by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). At high molar ratio, thorn-liked structure and smooth surface of PANI are observed compared to irregular structure at low molar ratio. Moreover, the chemical structures of PANI-DBSA are investigated by Solid-state Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR).

Photophysics of Cationic and Anionic Dye Mixed by Sodium-2-Diethylhexyl Sulfosuccinate–Water–Hexane at Low Molar Ratio (X ≤ 8)

The fluorescence, absorption spectra, and Z-scan (open aperture) were studied in mixture of anionic dye (fluorescein sodium salt-FSS) and cationic dye (Rhodamine B-RhB) with low size of water droplets. The droplet was prepared by sodium-2-diethylhexyl sulfosuccinate/water/hexane microemulsion (MEs) at water to the surfactant molar ratio less than 8. The absorbance and fluorescence intensity was studied at different dye-doped droplet size and concentration. The results evidenced that the fluorescence spectra of FSS in MEs are less than water, but the fluorescence intensity of Rhodamine B in MEs is higher than bulk water. The results evidenced that the fluorescence depends on the size (molar ratio) of the droplet. The Rhodamine B in MEs with X = 3 (middle size) has a higher fluorescence intensity than other X. However, the fluorescence intensity of FSS reduces with reduction of droplet size. The red shift of fluorescence was studied by the Bilot and Kawski theory; the excited dipole moment over the ground state value (μe/μg) was determined. The results indicated that in the same dye in solution concentration, the μe/μg depends on molar ratio. The nonlinear optical properties of dye/sodium-2-diethylhexyl sulfosuccinate/hexane/water MEs for two types of dye (FSS and RhB) at constant X = 8 were investigated. The results show that two-photon absorption coefficient for both dyes increased with the increase of the droplet concentration.

Optimization of proniosomal itraconazole formulation using Box Behken design to enhance oral bioavailability

The aim of our investigation was to study the combined impact of 3 independent variables on the development of itraconazole (ITR) proniosomes by using Box-Behnken design (BBD). BBD was implemented with 3 variable factors at 3 levels. The values of the factors and responses were exposed to multiple regressions to derive a second-order polynomial equation used to predict the values of optimized dependent variables (responses). The surfactant concentration, drug concentration and molar ratio (Span 60: cholesterol) were chosen as the independent variables. Fifteen proniosome formulae were prepared using the slurry method and estimated for drug entrapment efficiency (DEE), vesicle size (VZ) and % drug released after 8 h. The insignificant terms of the equation that showed the probability value (P > 0.05), were excluded from the full-model equation to attain a reduced-model equation to ease expecting the different responses upon changing variables. The effect of the different variables was also shown by the construction of line and contour plots. Two optimized formulae; P1 (0.28, 0.91 and −0.91) for the maximized response of DEE and % drug released without restriction of VZ and P2 (0.5, −1, −1) with a minimum VZ were prepared and evaluated for ex-vivo permeation study. In-vivo pharmacokinetic study of the optimized selected formula P2was tested against the market product (sporonox®) in rabbits. ITR Proniosomal formula showed 1.95 fold, 1.3 fold and 1.4 fold increase in Cmax, AUC0-48, and AUC0-∞, when compared to ITR market product. Our investigation suggested the potential use of proniosome as a drug carrier to enhance the bioavailability of ITR.

Synergism and aggregation behaviour in an aqueous binary mixture of cationic-zwitterionic surfactants: physico-chemical characterization with molecular simulation approach.

Aqueous interactions between a cationic surfactant benzyl dimethylhexadecylammonium chloride (BDHAC) and alkyldimethylammoniopropane sulfonates (CnDAPS) based three zwitterionic surfactants n = 10, 12, and 14 (abbreviated as C10DAPS, C12DAPS and C14DAPS, respectively) were studied using tensiometry, and fluorescence spectrophotometry techniques. The critical micelle concentration degree of synergism and various other parameters such as interaction parameter (β), activity coefficients (fm) and interfacial parameters such as surface pressure (πCMC), packing parameter (P), surface excess concentration (Γmax), surface tension at CMC (γCMC), and minimum area per molecule (Amin) were evaluated using the Regular Solution Theory (RST) of mixed systems. The results indicate a strong dependency on the mixed system and their composition. For the quantitative prediction, the molecular architecture of the surfactants in mixed systems and their synergistic interactions were investigated by computational simulation using Spartan'14 V1.1.8. The structural optimization results obtained were found to be in good agreement with the estimations made using RST. The reduction in surface tension indicates a certain efficiency in mixed micelle formation owing to electrostatic attraction between the cationic and zwitterionic surfactants. In addition, the binary surfactant systems evaluated by Maeda's approach infer the mixed micelles are thermodynamically stable. The aggregation number (Nagg) appeared to be larger at the composition point where the efficiency of mixed micelle formation is greatest. The strength of the interaction between BDHAC and CnDAPS followed the order: C14DAPS > C12DAPS > C10DAPS indicating a greater synergism at 0.25 molar ratio of zwitterionic surfactants to cationic surfactants in the aqueous solution at 303.15 K.

Template-Free Synthesis of Aligned Polyaniline Nanorods/Tubes and Copper/Copper Hydroxide Nanowires for Application as Fillers in Polymer Nanocomposites

Aligned polyaniline nanorods were synthesized in the presence of salicylic acid. Nanorods and nanotubes were also formed in the presence of camphorsulfonic acid (CSA) and para-toluenesulfonic acid (pTSA). Electrical conductivity measurements showed that the aligned nanorods had better electrical conductivity than the non-aligned nanostructures. Nanospheres were also observed in some cases. The formation of elongated nanostructures or spheres depended on the aniline monomer to surfactant molar ratio. This method in which nanostructures are formed using soft templates is often referred to as the template-free approach. Our success motivated us to explore the feasibility of obtaining similar metallic nanostructures without the use of a template. We successfully synthesized copper and copper hydroxide nanowires. While the copper nanowires formed as a mesh, the copper hydroxide nanowires formed as winding bundles. Upon switching the order in which the reactants were added, copper hydroxide nanoribbons were formed instead of bundles. Characterization of these nanostructures was done using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and the Four-point probe to measure electrical conductivity. Both metallic and organic nanowires that are fabricated by template-free methods are potential candidates for use as fillers in polymer nanocomposites. Polymer nanocomposites are found to be used in many advanced modern applications such as thermal interface materials in electronic devices which continue to be miniaturized, aerospace engineering where lightweight and robustness are important, sensors, medicine and catalytic activity.

Effect of Microemulsion Structure on Fluorescence and Nonlinear Optical Properties of Rhodamine 6G.

This study is conducted to investigate the effect of nano-droplets concentration and size on linear and nonlinear optical properties of Rhodamine 6G by UV-Vis, spectrofluorometer and Z-Scan techniques. Nano-droplets were prepared by mixture of AOT, n-Decane and Water at three different water to surfactant molar ratios (W = 3, 6.7 and 40) and two dye to water mass ratios (R). At high enough dye concentration, the fluorescence intensity and its red shift depend on the concentration of dye in water nano-droplets (R). Moreover, the fluorescence spectra of R6G can be enhanced by confined water nano-droplets (microemulsion) at higher dye to water mass ratios. The Raman Spectra reveal no dependence of R6G local polarity in the AOT reversed micelles to nano-droplet size. From the Bakhshiev equation, the excited to ground state dipole moment ratio (μ e /μ g ) was calculated through solvatochromic shift method for different nano-droplet concentrations. The results show that μ e /μ g of R6G in water nano-droplets is smaller than that of bulk water. At high enough dye concentration, μ e /μ g depends on the nano-droplets' dye content. The dye aggregation can affect the dipole moment R6G in microemulsion. Two photon absorption coefficient (β), nonlinear refractive index (n 2), the real third order susceptibility ([Formula: see text]) and the second order hyperpolarizability ([Formula: see text]) were measured using the Z-Scan technique at different nano-droplet concentration and two sizes of nano-droplet. The results show a good compatibility with the attained consequence by Quantum Perturbation theory. In this content, the interaction of nano-droplet was studied by dynamic light scattering, whose results indicate an ascending trend in mobility of nano-droplets by the increase of nano-droplets dye content. Hence increase of dye in nano-droplets influences the dye aggregation, fluorescence red shift and dipole moment ratio (μ e /μ g ) by the nano-droplet collision.

\u03b1-Tocopherol/AOT/alkane/water system

In this paper the calorimetric studies on α-tocopherol/AOT/alkane/water systems are presented. Structural representations of surfactant AOT (a) and α-tocopherol (b) are shown below. α-Tocopherol (antioxidant) is a form of vitamin E that is preferentially absorbed and accumulated in humans. AOT is an anionic type of surfactant. Its molecule contains two non-polar hydrocarbon tails connected to the polar head. The paper contains new experimental data of heat of mixing (Q) for heterogeneous system α-tocopherol/AOT/n-alkane with and without water measured at 309.2 K. The heat of mixing for AOT (sodium bis (2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate) and α-tocopherol solutions in n-alkane (heptane, decane, hexadecane) as the function of surfactant concentration and parameter R given as the water to surfactant molar ratio R = [H2O]/[AOT] was measured. It can be seen that the Q values grow significantly with temperature increase which indicates on entropic origin of this process. The significant influence of surfactant concentration on Q values was noticed. Unexpectedly, the water presence in the reverse micelles did not have any noticeable influence on the heat of mixing values measured at 309.2 K. There was not noticed the significant hydrocarbon chain length influence on the thermal effect of mixing α-tocopherol and AOT solutions. The thermodynamic parameters: the binding constant (K) and the molar enthalpy of transition (ΔHtr0) of α-tocopherol between solvent and AOT reverse micelles, were calculated from the heat of mixing data as a function of surfactant concentration using the nonlinear regression method. The new calorimetric data measured at 309.2 K were compared to results obtained earlier at 298.2 K, as well as have been discussed in the context of the hydrocarbon chain length and water presence influence on α-tocopherol solubility in AOT reverse micelles. Generally in all investigated systems have been not found a significant influence of water concentration in AOT reverse micelles on α-tocopherol molecules distribution between organic phase and micellar phases. The exothermic values of α-tocopherol molecules transition from organic to micellar phase indicate on spontaneous motion of α-tocopherol towards AOT aggregates. For the systems with n-heptane and n-decane as a solvent, the (ΔHtr0) values are between −51 and −52 kJ mol−1 whereas for n-hexadecane around −43 kJ mol−1. Such tendency can be explained through hydrocarbon chains orientation effect existing in hexadecane which probably is responsible for a α-tocopherol molecules freedom motion limitation. Moreover, the solubility of the α-tocopherol in AOT reverse micelles measured with calorimetric technique has been compared to the literature data obtained, respectively, with UV spectrophotometer for reverse micelles, and for phospholipids bilayer by other techniques. Finally, transferring of α-tocopherol from solvent to AOT reverse micelles, intermolecular interactions between α-tocopherol and AOT micelles were discussed, and a privileged place of α-tocopherol in the palisade layer of AOT reverse micelle has been deduced.

Ascorbyl radical disproportionation in reverse micellar systems

Ascorbyl radical was generated by the pulse radiolysis method and observed with the fast kinetic spectrophotometry within reverse micelles stabilized by AOT in n-heptane or by Igepal CO-520 in cyclohexane at different water to surfactant molar ratio, w0. Rate constants for the disproportionation of the ascorbyl radicals were smaller than those for intermicellar exchange for both type of reverse micelles and slower than those in homogeneous aqueous solutions. However, they increased with increasing w0 for AOT/n-heptane system, while they decreased for Igepal CO-520 system. The absorption spectra of ascorbic acid AOT/n-heptane reverse micellar system showed that the “pH” sensed by this molecule is lower than that in respective homogeneous aqueous solutions. The obtained results were rationalized taking into account three main factors (i) preferential location of ascorbic acid molecules in the interfacial region of the both types of reverse micelles; (ii) postulate that the pH of the interface is lower than that of the water pool of reverse micelles and (iii) different structure of the interface of the reverse micelles made by AOT in n-heptane and those formed by Igepal CO-520 I cyclohexane. Some possible consequences of these findings are discussed.

PREPARATION OF CALCIUM PHOSPHATE NANOPARTICLES AS NON-VIRAL VECTORS FOR GENE DELIVERY SYSTEM

A major aim of gene therapy is the efficient and specific delivery of therapeutic gene into the desired target tissues. Development of reliable vectors is a major challenge in gene therapy. The aim of this study is to develop calcium phosphate nanoparticles as novel non-viral vectors for the gene delivery system. Calcium phosphate nanoparticles were prepared by water-in-oil microemulsion method with a water to surfactant molar ratio, Wo [Formula: see text] 2–10. This paper studies the design and synthesis of ultra-low size, highly monodispersed DNA doped calcium phosphate nanoparticles of size around 100[Formula: see text]nm in diameter. The structure of DNA-calcium phosphate nanocomplex observed by TEM was displayed as a shell-like structure. This study used pEGFP as a reporter gene. The encapsulating efficiency to encapsulate DNA inside the nanoparticles was greater than 80%. In the MTT test, both calcium phosphate nanoparticles and DNA-calcium phosphate nanocomplex have no negative effect for 293T cells. By gel electrophoresis of free and entrapped pEGFP DNA, the DNA encapsulated inside the nanoparticles was protected from the external DNaseI environment. In vitro transfection studies in 293T cell-line, the DNA-calcium phosphate nanocomplex could be used safely to transfer the encapsulated DNA into the 293T cells and expression green fluorescent protein. The characteristic of DNA-calcium phosphate nanocomplex to deliver DNA belongs to slow release. The property of DNA-calcium phosphate nanocomplex was fit in the requirement of non-viral vectors for the gene delivery system.

Synthesis of mesoporous MgO nanostructures using mixed surfactants template for enhanced adsorption and antimicrobial activity

Mesoporous MgO nanostructures with the high specific surface area (180m2g−1) were synthesized via mixed surfactant-templating method. The synthesis of MgO with mixed surfactants system has rarely been discussed in the literature, which motivates us to synthesize MgO in this system. Alteration in catanionic surfactant molar ratio and chain length resulted in a change in surface area. Morphological and physical properties were analyzed using FESEM, HRTEM, FTIR and XRD. Synthesized MgO nanorods showed excellent adsorption properties for dye removal from aqueous solution. The obtained adsorption capacities were 333.33, 250 and 200mgg−1 for Methylene Blue (MB), Alizarin red (AZ) and Rhodamine B (RD), respectively, which is higher or comparable with other reported methods in literature. Other than adsorption, MgO can act as a good bactericide. The effective antimicrobial activity of MgO was analyzed via minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) method against E. coli and B. subtilis and obtained IC50 (half maximal inhibitory concentration) values after 24h were 71.98±0.03 and 94.01±0.030 respectively.

Synthesis of tungsten nanoparticles by reverse micelle method

Tungsten nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized via reverse micelle method in two micellar systems include n-hexane-SDS (Sodium dodecyl sulfate) and Cyclohexane-TritonX-100. The inter-micellar space has been used for the reaction of sodium tungstate with two reducing agents containing Iron(II) chloride and sodium borohydride. The effects of parameters such as temperature, pH, micelle type, water to surfactant molar ratio (Kω), annealing and type of the co-surfactant on the reduction process and size of the particles were investigated. The as-synthesized and heat treated products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and X-ray diffraction. SEM analyze showed spherical tungsten nanoparticles with narrow size distribution and size (13nm) and both α & β structures of tungsten were observed in XRD patterns.

Synthesis and Characterization of YCr&lt;sub&gt;x&lt;/sub&gt;Al&lt;sub&gt;1-x&lt;/sub&gt;O&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; Particles by a Reverse Micelle Processing

YCrxAl1-xO3 nanoparticles were synthesized by a reverse micelle processing for inorganic pigment. Y(NO3)2·6H2O, Cr (NO3)2·6H2O and Al (NO3)3·9H2O are used for precursors in order to synthesis YCrxAl1-xO3 nanoparticles. The aqueous solution consists of mixing the molar ratio of Y/Cr/Al at 1:x:1-x and heat treated at 900~1300°C for 2h. The average size and distribution of synthesized YCrxAl1-xO3 powders was in the range of 10-20nm and narrow, respectively. The average size of the synthesized YCrxAl1-xO3 powders increased with increasing water to surfactant molar ratio and heating temperature. The crystallinity of synthesized YCrxAl1-xO3 powder increased with increasing heating temperature. The synthesized YCrxAl1-xO3 powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and color spectrophotometer. The properties of the synthesized powders were affected by such variables as molar ratio, heating temperature etc.

Controllable synthesis and electrochemical properties of MnCo2O4 nanorods and microcubes

MnCo2O4 nanomaterials have attracted widespread interests for special structural characteristics. We report a facile hydrothermal method to prepare MnCo2O4 nanomaterials with controllable morphologies. MnCo2O4 nanorods and microcubes were successfully prepared through aggregation of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and didodecyldimethylammonium bromide surfactants as soft template, followed by calcination for crystallization. Analysis showed that the molar ratios of surfactants and the hydrothermal temperature during preparation played important roles in determining the morphology of MnCo2O4 nanomaterials. The resulting products were analyzed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, electron energy loss spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and were further characterized using a three-electrode system in 1molL−1 KOH electrolyte solution. Results indicated that MnCo2O4 nanorods had mesoporous structures that were 2–3μm in length, 100–200nm in diameter, and 10–30nm in mesopore diameter. The length of each side of MnCo2O4 microcubes was 6–15μm, and the diameter of the mesopore was 7–12nm. MnCo2O4 microcubes exhibited high specific capacitance of 408.33Fg−1 at a current density of 5Ag−1, and excellent long-term cycle stability. These findings imply that MnCo2O4 nanostructured materials show a strong promise for a potential material as electrodes for supercapacitors.