Structural modulation of cage-like mesoporous KIT-5 silica by post-synthesis treatments with ammonia and/or sulfuric acid

Abstract The post-synthesis structural modulation of cage-like mesoporous KIT-5 silica by the treatments with the ammonia solution of NH 4 OH and/or the aqueous solution of H 2 SO 4 was studied. While the NH 4 OH-treated KIT-5 silicas generally have smaller unit cell parameters, smaller mesopore cage sizes and lower micropore volumes, the H 2 SO 4 treatment gave materials with larger cage-like mesopores and pore entrances but very low micropore volumes. The effects of consecutive treatments with NH 4 OH and H 2 SO 4 on the structural properties of the treated KIT-5 silicas were also investigated.