Preparation and characterisation of silica monoliths using a triblock copolymer (F68) as porogen

Silica-based monoliths with co-continuous structure were successfully prepared through a sol–gel process in the presence of a poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (F68). The triblock copolymer was compared to the classical PEG, in the formation of silica monoliths and was demonstrated to lead to co-continuous structures in a wider composition range, presenting smaller through pores. Moreover, mesoporous structures templated at the sol–gel transition were assumed to occur at the surface of the silica skeleton while PEG exhibited no mesopore templating.

Graphical abstractMonolithic silicas prepared using F68 (a) exhibit smaller domains than those prepared using PEG (b).Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide