Effects of surface-active substances on acid–base indicator reactivity in SiO2 gels

Abstract Methyl orange (MO) and phenolphthalein (P) doped SiO2 gels derived from tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and modified with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and stearic acid (SA) are prepared. FTIR and TG analyses are used to characterize the gels. The color changes and leaching behavior of MO and P within the gels are investigated and explained on the basis of the gel structures and the reaction mechanism. The experimental results show that surface-active substances have obvious effects on the acid–base response and the leaching behavior of the acid–base indicators within the SiO2 gels.