Synthesis and characterization of phenyl-functionalized mesoporous hybrids with large-pore cubic Ia3d structure and varied pore sizes

Ordered phenyl-functionalized mesoporous hybrids with large-pore cubic Ia3d structure have been prepared in acid conditions by co-condensation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and phenyltriethoxysilane (PTES) in the presence of poly (ethylene oxide)20–poly (propylene oxide)70–poly (ethylene oxide)20 (Pluronic P123). During synthesis, the amount of PTES addition plays a crucial role for the generation of special mesostructure and only in molar percentage range of 3–8% PTES with respect to total amounts of siliceous sources, can Ia3d mesoporous hybrids be obtained. Furthermore, their pore sizes can be adjusted by simply changing ageing temperature.