Facile synthesis route to monodispersed platelet-like SBA-15 silica

We here report a facile synthesis route to monodispersed platelet-like SBA-15 mesoporous silica employing kinetically controlled micelles as templates. In previous preparations of SBA-15 silica, it was believed that thermodynamically equilibrated micelles were used as templates. The kinetically controlled micelle has never been used before to generate periodic mesoporous materials with unique morphology. Monodispersed hexagonal platelet-like SBA-15 microparticles were prepared via a very facile synthesis route by tuning the micelle formation process, i.e. the stirring rate and the time of dissolution of the triblock copolymer and formation of the micelles. Shorter micelle formation time and faster stirring are essential to generate platelet-like SBA-15 silica particles. It is expected to apply in the synthesis of a wide variety of mesophase materials.