Facile synthesis of B-MCM-41 with controlled morphologies using water–acetone media

B-MCM-41 nanoparticles with controlled morphologies including nanorods and nanospheres have been synthesized in water–acetone media using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as the template and boric acid as boron source. It was found that the total boron content in the product increases with reducing both the water-to-acetone molar ratios in the synthesis gel and hydrothermal temperature. The framework boron content rises with the increase in the hydrothermal temperature. From transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images, it was observed that mesoporous parallel channels run along the long axis in major areas in the nanorods, whereas the radially arranged mesopore channels are present in the nanospheres. Additionally, hydrothermal treatment leads to rougher surfaces while retaining the morphologies and nanostructures of these boron-containing mesoporous silicas.

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► Adjusting the r value (the water-to-acetone molar ratio in the mixed solvent) leads to different morphology of B-MCM-41.
► The mesoporous parallel channels run along the long axis in major areas in the nanorods.
► The radially arranged mesopore channels are present in the nanospheres.