Mesoporous organosilicas with ultra-large pores: Mesophase transformation and bioadsorption properties

Large pore ordered mesoporous organosilicas (OMOs) with distinct mesophase structure was synthesized under low temperatures by the co-condensation of 1,2bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane (BTESE) and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) in acidic solution, using triblock copolymer F127 as a template and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (TMB) as a swelling agent With the decrease of temperature, a mesophase transformation from 2D hexagonal structure (p6mm) via mesostructured cellular foam to a highly ordered 3D cubic structure (Fm3m) was evidenced by small angle X-ray diffraction (SAXS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and N-2 sorption. It reveals that the lower synthesis temperatures may influence the hydrolysis and condensation of silica species and the hydrophilic-hydrophobic property of F127, as well as the swelling capacity of F127 micelles with TMB, which resulting in a formation of large pores ordered mesoporous organosilicas with various mesostructures materials. Finally, the enzyme adsorption properties of the OMOs were investigated and the results showed that the OMOs with a 3D large pore structure and regular morphology is much more qualified for enzyme adsorption. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc All rights reserved