Synthesis of High Surface Area Mesoporous Silica Powder Using Anionic Surfactant

Over the past several years, synthesized mesoporous nanosilica (SiO2) powders have been developed by many different methods. The methods include precipitation and microemulsion, the Stöber method, chemistry, and technology. In this study, mesoporous silica powders are synthesized by the sol-gel method. The sol-gel method obtains a high purity silica powder; however, the process yields a low percentage. Past syntheses of SiO2 powder precursors are expensive, but this study needs to find a replacement precursor for low cost alternatives. A high surface area was used to form an anion surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate, which regulates the molar concentration. The particles size variability was changed by the precursor molar ratio of the sodium silicate solution with hydrochloric acid.