On the use of polymeric dispersant P123 in the synthesis of bicontinuous cubic mesoporous AMS-6

An in-depth study of the synthesis and growth of bicontinuous cubic mesoporous AMS-6 material in the presence of polymeric dispersant P123 is presented, resulting in controlled particle shape attainable over a small range of synthesis conditions. Unlike previous syntheses a remarkable effect on facet formation of the Ia3d silica particles with cubic morphologies is observed. Trapezoidal icositetrahedra, spherical and elongated morphologies have been prepared with increased faceting on addition of higher concentration of dispersant. Particles are characterised extensively by powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and nitrogen sorption isotherms. Mesoporous materials produced in this study show textural features suggesting a secondary porous network formed on the external surface of the particle and the origin of this secondary porosity is discussed. Based on the reduced dynamics generated by the presence of the P123 dispersant, we suggest possible growth models for the formation of mainly two different morphologies - the thermodynamically favoured trapezoidal icositetrahedron and elongated particles, the latter not following the expected point group symmetry, m3m.