Low-cost preparation of mesoporous silica with high pore volume

Mesoporous silica materials with high pore volume were successfully prepared by the chemical precipitation method, with water glass and a biodegradable nonionic surfactant polyethylene glycol (PEG). The obtained materials were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermo gravimetric analyzer and differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurements, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that the changes of the pore parameters depended on both the surfactant content and heat treatment temperature. When the content of PEG was 10wt% and the obtained PEG/SiO2 composite was heated at 600°C, the mesoporous silica with a pore volume of 2.2 cm3/g, a BET specific surface area of 361.55 m2/g, and a diameter of 2-4 μm could be obtained. The obtained mesoporous silica materials have potential applications in the fields of paint and plastic, as thickening, reinforcing, and flatting agents.