Synthesis and mechanism study of mesoporous SnO2/SiO2 composites

Mesoporous SnO2/SiO2 composite particles (Si/Sn < or = 0.25) sustainable to calcination up to 600 degrees C have been fabricated using a stepwise sol-gel technique on nonionic surfactant template (tetradecylamine, TDA). The newly designed preparation method involved the pre-formation of SnO2 sol solution from SnCl4. Subsequently, SnO2 nanocrystals were covered by the silicate species (from the hydrolysis of tetraethylorthosilicate, TEOS) in a pH controlled colloidal solution. Upon mixing with the surfactant solution, mesophase composite was obtained. After the removal of templates at various temperatures (400 to 600 degrees C), worm-like mesoporous SnO2/SiO2 with large specific surface area and pore volume as high as 362 m2/g and 0.33 cc/g were obtained, respectively. High thermal stability is mainly due to the effective inhibition of SnO2 crystal growth (mean crystallite size <30 A) by the amorphous SiO2 species at the grain boundaries. Formation of mesoporous silicate skeleton such as M41S family material was prevented. The obtained materials maintain the relatively narrow pore size distribution typically in the range of 30 to 70 A. Relations between material properties and key synthesis parameters (i.e. TDA/Si/Sn molar ratio and calcination temperature) were investigated by TGA, wide/small-angle X-ray scattering, (HR)TEM, BET, and FTIR techniques. Mechanisms on the mesostructure formation and crystal growth inhibition were also proposed with detailed discussion.