Synthesis and Characterization of High Quality Mesoporous Material SBA-16 with Ultrasonication

Spherical particles of mesoporous silica SBA-16 with cubic Im3m structure were synthesized at low pH using Pluronic F127 as template and TEOS as silica source. The diameter of the spherical particles can be controlled in the range of 0.5–8 μm by varying{Spherical particles of mesoporous silica SBA-16 with cubic Im3m structure were synthesized at low pH using Pluronic F127 as template and TEOS as silica source. The diameter of the spherical particles can be controlled in the range of 0.5 – 8 μm by varying synthesis temperature t 45 °C. A sharp transition from large particle is observed. It is suggested that this morphology transition is due to a change in hydrolysis and condensation rate of the silica source and as a result the assembly of F127 micelles will differ. The SBA-16 samples were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM),transmissionelectron microscopy (TEM) and Nitrogen adsorption techniques.