An alternative method to remove PEO-PPO-PEO template in organic-inorganic mesoporous nanocomposites by sulfuric acid extraction

Sulfuric acid is used as an extraction agent to remove PEO-PPO-PEO templates in the organic-inorganic mesoporous nanocomposites from the triconstituent co-assembly which includes the low-polymerized phenolic resins, TEOS and triblock copolymer F127. The XRD and TEM results show well ordered mesostructure after extraction with sulfuric acid. As followed from the N₂ sorption isotherms the extracted composites possess high surface areas (332-367 m²/g), large pore volumes (0.66-0.78 cm³/g), and large pore sizes (about 10.7 nm). The FT-IR analysis reveals almost complete elimination of triblock copolymer F127, and the maintenance of organic groups. This method shows potentials in removing templates from nanocomposites containing functional moieties.