Structure and acid–base properties of surface-modified mesoporous silica

A series of surface-modified mesoporous silica endowing with acid–base properties have been successfully synthesized in one pot by in situ introduction of zirconium and magnesium salts into the initial mixture of synthesizing mesoporous silica (SBA-15) and this method combines into a single step to form a novel material with a periodically ordered mesoporous backbone and specific chemical reactivity of the acid-basic sites. X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopes (HRTEM), N2 adsorption, FT-IR transmission spectra, 29Si MAS NMR spectra, NH3- and CO2-temperature programmed desorption (TPD) are employed to characterize the titled mesoporous materials. The results indicate that the product possesses excellent acid-basic properties with well mesoporous structure, which make it promising for their application in heterogeneous catalysis and adsorption–separation processes.