Fabrication of MCM-41 mesoporous silica through the self-assembly supermolecule of β-CD and CTAB

Using the self-assembly β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as structure-directing agents, high-quality ordered MCM-41 silicas have been prepared. Small-angle X-ray diffraction (SXRD), N2 adsorption–desorption and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques were used to characterize the calcined samples. Results showed that the pore structure of the resulting mesoporous silica belonged to the two-dimensional hexagonal structure (space group p6mmp6mm). The high-quality hexagonal structure was formed as n⩽1 (n denotes molar ratio of β-CD to CTAB). N2 adsorption–desorption curves revealed type IV isotherms, H4 hysteresis loops, for all samples, and H1 hysteresis loops for samples at n=0n=0, 0.1, 1 and 2, respectively. The pore size and the pore wall thickness of the samples increased with the increase in n values, respectively.

Graphical abstract1:1 and 1:2 complexes between CTAB and β-CD have formed as self-assembly templates in the formation of MCM-41.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide