Tuning of nanostructured SBA-15 silica using phosphoric acid

A simple method is described to synthesize mesoporous SBA-15 with controlled distinct morphologies. Using the same initial synthesis mixture composition consisting of non-ionic P123 block co-polymer, tetra-ethyl orthosilicate as silica source and phosphoric acid, well-ordered mesoporous films, cakes, fibers and bundle-like structures were produced simply by changing the stirring rate. Free-standing films at the air-water interface and cake-like structures were obtained simultaneously under static conditions. On the other hand, fibers and bundles of threads resulted under vigorous and slow stirring conditions, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of these bundles revealed straight parallel nanochannels oriented along the long axis of the bundles. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) measurements of the calcined samples indicated the presence of phosphorus, which might provide additional Brønsted acid sites for potential applications in catalysis.