Effect of Synthesis Conditions on the Morphology and Pore Structure of Spherical Porous Silica Synthesized Using Polyethylene Glycol as a Template

Abstract

The effects of pH and temperature during synthesis on the pore structure and morphology of porous silica were investigated using inexpensive polyethylene glycol as a template. At a synthesis temperature of 20°C, the porous silica obtained at pH 4.0–6.0 mainly exhibited micropores, while those obtained at pH 7.0 and 8.0 developed both micropores and mesopores. At pH 7, increasing the synthesis temperature resulted in the formation of more mesopores and the production of smaller spherical porous silica particles. At pH 7 and a temperature of 60°C, spherical porous silica with a specific surface area of 654.6 m²/g and an average particle size of 0.8 µm was obtained.