Abstract
A low energy route for the removal of Pluronic P123 surfactant template during the synthesis of SBA-15 mesoporous silicas is explored. The conventional reflux of the hybrid inorganic-organic intermediate formed during co-condensation routes to Pr-SOH-SBA-15 is slow, utilises large solvent volumes, and requires 24 h to remove ∼90% of the organic template. In contrast, room temperature ultrasonication in a small methanol volume achieves the same degree of template extraction in only 5 min, with a 99.9% energy saving and 90% solvent reduction, without compromising the textural, acidic or catalytic properties of the resultant Pr-SOH-SBA-15.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 197-202 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Green Chemistry |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 1 |
Early online date | 17 Sept 2013 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2014 |
Bibliographical note
This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence.Funding: EPSRC [EP/G007594/2, EP/F063423/2]; Royal Society