Control of structure, pore size and morphology of three-dimensionally ordered mesoporous silicas prepared using the dicationic surfactant [CH3(CH2)15N(CH3)2(CH2)3N(CH3)3]Br2

The synthesis of mesoporous silicas in the presence of the dicationic gemini surfactant [CH3(CH2)15N(CH3)2(CH2)3N(CH3)3]Br2 (C16-3-1) has been investigated at low temperatures (−4 °C) under basic and acidic conditions. Under basic conditions, the SBA-2 phase (based on a close-packed arrangement of micelles and exhibiting frequent stacking faults) is observed, with hollow sphere morphology. Under strongly acidic conditions, the phase SBA-1 (Pmn) and the SBA-2 family of phases (based on the close packing of micelles) are observed, depending on the surfactant and silicate content of the original gel. Conditions under which the pure hexagonally close-packed end member of the family (P63/mmc) is formed have been identified. SBA-1 and the pure hexagonally close-packed end member are prepared with well-defined morphologies. The adsorption of nitrogen and the hydrocarbons cyclopentane and mesitylene reveal that SBA-2 prepared in basic media has a cage structure where the cages are linked through small (<4 Å) micropores, whereas the silicas prepared in acidic media have larger pores after calcination. SBA-1 and a poorly ordered SBA-2, prepared using C16-3-1 under acidic conditions, are able to adsorb mesitylene (diameter ca. 8 Å), whereas the hexagonal end member of the SBA-2 series prepared under acidic conditions is able to adsorb cyclopentane (diameter ca. 5 Å) but not mesitylene.