Synthesis and characterization of nanoporous silica film via non-surfactant template sol–gel technique

Nanoporous silicon dioxide has received growing interests owing to their peculiar application potentials in conservation and storage energy. Therefore, the development of novel and simple techniques is required for raising these nanoporous materials to industrial level. In this research, we report novel strategy for the synthesis of nanoporous SiO2 via non-surfactant template sol–gel technique for the first time. The morphology and structure of the as prepared and annealed nanoporous silica films were studied using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nitrogen absorption/desorption technique. The results showed that highly order nanoporous silica film has been obtained at annealing temperature 600 °C with average diameter 5.1 nm and average pore volume 3.6 cm3 g−1.

► Nanoporous silica is synthesized via non-surfactant template sol–gel technique.
► The as prepared nanoporous silica has amorphous structure.
► The annealed nanoporous silica has smaller, ordered shape mesopores.
► The annealing temperature decreased the pore size and improved the crystallinity.