Preparation and characterization of mesoporous silica-pillared montmorillonite

Mesoporous silica-pillared montmorillonites (SPMs) were prepared based on cation-exchange, gallery-templated synthesis method, and the post-synthesis treatment using ammonia, and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and N-2 adsorption-desorption. The results showed that ammonia played a very important role in the formation of the mesoporous materials; the calcined SPMs indicated a BET surface area of 511 m(2)/g and average pore size of 3.1 nm by adjusting the ammonia treating temperature at 110 A degrees C. The formation of SPMs was discussed and its progressing mechanism was suggested.