A gel-derived mesoporous silica reference material for surface analysis by gas sorption2. Durability and stability

The characterisation of novel mesoporous films, spheres, fibres and monoliths requires a new generation of standard materials for textural analysis. The textural characteristics of a mesoporous gel-derived silica monolith, investigated by nitrogen sorption are: specific surface area (165.5±1.5 m2 g−1), specific pore volume (0.986±0.020 cm3 g−1) and average pore size (119.2±2.7 Å). The effects of storage and usage on the textural properties of the gel-silica have been monitored for up to 12 months by nitrogen sorption. Non-parametric statistical analysis indicated that no significant changes in textural features had occurred following either a year of storage or repeated usage.