Preparation of mesostructured silica/anodic alumina composite membranes in mild conditions using acetic acid

Mesoporous silica/anodic alumina (AAO) composite membranes were prepared in mild preparation conditions based on a preparation procedure of MSU-H mesoporous silica. First, preparation conditions of the precursor sols appropriate for membrane preparation were surveyed and it was confirmed that MSU-H membranes were prepared on glass substrates. Preparation of composite membranes using AAO substrates with no aspiration from the backside of the substrates lead to ordered mesostructured silica membrane on the substrate surface. When moderate aspiration was applied during the formation of the composites, silica was infiltrated in the substrate channels. Although the resulting composite membrane showed no significant reflection in XRD, it was reasonably assumed that mesoporous silica similar to MSU-H was densely formed within the substrate channels according to nitrogen adsorption isotherms and permeation experiments.