Preparation of spherical MCM-41 molecular sieve at room temperature: Influence of the synthesis conditions in the structural properties

A rapid and facile synthesis route to obtain mesoporous MCM-41 silica at room temperature under basic conditions using as template cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) is reported. The synthesis variables such as reaction time, molar ratios of CTAB/TEOS and H₂O/ethanol in the initial gel composition were studied. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption–desorption analyses, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that reaction conditions affect the quality of the MCM-41 silica. This silica can be prepared at short periods of time, and it exhibited a uniform size and spherical morphology.