Synthesis of mesoporous silica by a surface charge reversal route

Pore size adjustable mesoporous silica was synthesized by adsorption of varying amounts of sodium dodecyl benzenesulfonate at the surface of silica activated by zinc ion via a novel surface charge reversal route. The pore size and volume can be adjusted from 5.9 to 13.76 nm and 0.88 to 1.08 cm(3) g(-1), respectively, with increasing the SDBS concentration from 0.77 to 3.08 mmol L(-1). Adsorption of Zn(2+) as a function of pH and N(2) adsorption/desorption isotherms demonstrated that the metal ions such as Zn(2+) could be readily removed with dilute nitric acid without apparent collapse of the pore structure at the proper range of SDBS concentration.