Behavior of mesoporous silica under 2 MeV electron beam irradiation

This work deals with the evolution of mesoporous structure two silicas MCM-41 and SBA-15 under a 2 MeV electron beam as function dose (0–5 GGy). For GGy, pore volume materials decreases significantly by 40–45%. The irradiation-induced porosity closure is more effective on smaller pores, resulting in loss network concerning (pore diameter ∼ 3.8 nm) conservation one 7.0 nm). mechanism silica closure/collapse has not been fully identified, but it might result from damage effects “Knock-on” processes. From technological point view, this phenomenon could be exploited for RadioNuclides (RN) encapsulation self-evolving porous material.