Two-Dimensional Porous Silica Nanomesh from Expanded Multilayered Vermiculite via Mixed Acid Leaching

Porous silica materials with high surface area and excellent pore size have been used world widely in numerous applications. In this contribution, a two-dimensional porous silica nanomesh is prepared from expanded multilayered vermiculite by mixed acid leaching. The silica nanomesh was similar to 5.5 nm thick with a surface area of 505 m(2)/g, an average pore size of 1.8 nm and a pore volume of 0.406 cm(3)/g. The acid treatment of vermiculite for the preparation of silica nanomesh method reported here may provide novel options for the preparation of functional silica nanomesh materials.