Synthesis and formation of hierarchical mesoporous silica network in acidic aqueous solutions of sodium silicate and cationic surfactant

Synthesis and formation of hierarchical mesoporous silica network in acidic aqueous solutions of commercial sodium silicate and cationic surfactant were studied by SEM, TEM, XRD and nitrogen adsorption-desorption methods. The formation process occurs through several steps, involving (1) formation of mesoporous silica nanoparticles; (2) aggregation of mesoporous silica nanoparticles into blocks; (3) growth of silica nanorods in closely-packed arrays by merging of silica nanoparticles; (4) separation of the nanorods to form 3D silica network; and (4) shrinking of the mesoporous silica network. The as-prepared 3D silica network exhibits bimodal morphology constituting mesoporous and macroporous phases.