PREPARATION OF Ni-SUPPORTED MESOPOROUS SILICA BY INTERCALATION TREATMENT

A siliceous porous material containing nickel was synthesized by means of an intercalation treatment method using a layered sodium octosilicate ilerite as a starting base material. The sodium ions between the crystalline silicate sheets in the octosilicate were exchanged for hydrogen ions in dilute hydrochloric acid, and then the basal spaces between the silicate sheets were extended by introducing n-octylamine into the silicate sheets. Tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) was added to the silicate gel, and the silicate pillars were structured between the silicate sheets by the hydrolysis of TEOS. The intercalation treatments were carried out under various pillaring conditions of the added amount of water or nickel solution which was used as an initiator of the hydrolysis reaction of TEOS. The specific surface area, pore distribution and adsorption-desorption isotherms of the intercalated octosilicates were measured, and the pillar structure in the intercalated octosilicates was characterized. The optimum conditions in the intercalation treatment were determined based on the characteristics of the intercalated octosilicates. The pore characteristics of intercalated octosilicates could be controlled by the added amount and concentration of the nickel solution.