Facile method to synthesize platelet SBA-15 silica with highly ordered large mesopores

► Highly ordered SBA-15 with large pore size (18 nm) and short pore length was obtained. ► Plate-like morphology was achieved by employing short stirring time and static aging. ► Platelet SBA-15 had (100) interplanar spacing as large as 17 nm. ► Platelet SBA-15 had high surface area (470 m2 g−1) and large pore volume (1.6 cm3 g−1).