Synthesis of mesoporous silica single crystal SBA-16 assisted by fluorinated surfactants with short carbon-chains

Single crystals of mesoporous silica SBA-16 in the shape of the rhombododecahedron consisting of twelve flat crystal faces can be obtained by the addition of fluorinated surfactants with short carbon-chains in the presence of nonionic surfactant Pluronic F127. It is proposed that the existence of fluorocarbon parts results in the decrease in the interface surface intension, leading to the formation of single crystals. (C) 2007 Published by Elsevier Inc.