Polypropylene glycol as a swelling agent for the synthesis of mesoporous silica (SBA-15) by amphiphilic block copolymer templating

Abstract

The role of poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) as a polymeric swelling agent in the synthesis of mesoporous silica, SBA-15, by amphiphilic triblock copolymer templating was investigated. Two different molecular weights of PPG were compared. It was found that even a low concentration of PPG expands effectively the pore size of the SBA-15 in the presence of the triblock copolymer, poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide) (PEOPPO-PEO) without sacrifying the wall thickness of the framework and the original morphology of pores.