Synergic effects of imidazolium ionic liquids on P123 mixed micelles for inducing micro/mesoporous materials

A series of micro/mesoporous silica composites were synthesized with P123 and imidazolium ILs ([C(n)mim]X) as the co-templates. [C(n)mim]X showed notable synergic interaction with P123. By changing the alkyl chain length n in methylimidazolium, ring-like micropores were observed in the wall of the mesoporous materials when n = 4. While increasing n to 10, micropores and mesopores were found in different separated regions. Various anions of Cl(-), Br(-), and BF(4)(-) of ILs have little effect on the aggregation behavior of P123/C4X mixed micelles. The strong hydrogen bonding effect of BF(4)(-) has resulted in the ordered mesoporous channels with numerous micropores in the wall at a low temperature of 313 K. Hydrophobic C4PF(6) can only be solubilized in the core of P123 micelles, which resulted in the swelling of P123/C4PF(6) mixed aggregates and the ordered hexagonal porous silica materials at 313 K. The fundamental understanding of the synergic interaction and formation mechanisms of various porous silica materials can provide a general convenient way toward a rational design and synthesis of the micro/mesoporous composites.