Rapid synthesis of ordered mesoporous silica with the aid of heteropoly acids

Well-ordered mesoporous SBA-15 sieves have been rapidly synthesized with the aid of heteropoly acids (abbreviated to HPAs). The promotable role of HPAs on SBA-15 formation has been confirmed by controlling the same synthesis conditions and the hydrothermal stability of corresponding reaction product was found to improve remarkably. The interaction between the EO moieties of template and tungstic or molybdic species (such as octahedral molybdic species), originated from the HPAs dissociation in the syntheses media, was expected to play a crucial role in promoting rapid nucleation and enhancing the tendency for mesoscopic ordering to occur. The synthesis route might be applicable to other nonionic surfactants, liquid acids and silica sources, which should provide promising method for synthesis of a large number of ordered mesoporous sieves with variety structure.