Spherical MSU-1 Mesoporous Silica Particles Tuned for HPLC

Among the mesoporous silica micellar templated structures (MTSs), MSU-X silica, obtained through an N0I0 assembly between non-ionic polyethyleneoxide-based surfactants (N0) and silica neutral inorganic precursors (I0), exhibits a regular ordered structure with a 3D wormhole porous framework and an easily controlled pore size. These materials have been tested for applications requiring both a narrow mesopore size distribution and isotropic properties. A specific double-step synthesis that we developed recently for MSU-X materials has allowed us to prepare mesoporous silica particles with the required shape, size, and properties. Both the particles’ synthesis and comparative HPLC separation tests with a commercial ungrafted silica HPLC powder of identical shape and size are reported.