Abstract
Bimodal macro-mesoporous silica networks have been prepared in a simple one-pot synthesis using an inexpensive non-toxic surfactant and tetraethoxysilane as a silica precursor. These novel materials show high pore volumes with interparticle macropores and templated mesopores (average pore size 3.0 nm) in 20 nm thick walls. The key properties of these materials can be tailored by controlling the experimental conditions (temperature, pH, stirring and surfactant properties and concentration) to obtain surface areas over 1000 m2/g and total pore volumes of 2.0 cm3/g.
