Mesoporous thiol-functionalized SBA-15 has been directly synthesized by co-condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS) with triblock copolymer P123 as-structure-directing agent under hydrothermal conditions. Surfactant removal was performed by Soxhlet ethanol extraction. These materials have been characterized by powder x-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption/desorption (BET model), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy (IR) and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The main parameters, such as the initial molar ratio of MPTMS to TEOS, the time of adding MPTMS to synthesized gel and the Soxhlet ethanol extraction on the thiol functionalized SBA-15 with high thiol content and highly ordered hexagonal mesostructure, were investigated and evaluated. The adsorption capacity of the thiol-functionalized and non-functionalized SBA-15 materials for Pb
2+ ion from aqueous solution was tested. It was found that the Pb
2+ adsorption capacity of the thiol functionalized SBA-15 is three times higher than that of non-functionalized SBA-15.
T he technology acceptance model (TAM) has long been applied to investigate consumer attitudes towards novel solutions and identify incentives that increase their willingness to adopt them. A cumulative tradition has already been developed in this stream of research. Using a modified TAM model, the authors explore factors that affect the intention of Vietnamese banks and their clients to adopt internet banking services. Currently, there is a number of factors hindering the diffusion of internet banking, particularly the underdevelopment of the technological infrastructure, the lack of investment, and the habits of the majority of providers and consumers of services to interact via traditional formats.
Keywords:Internet banking; Technology Acceptance Model (TAM); perceived usefulness; perceived ease of use; customer satisfaction; intention to adopt; Vietnam.The study finds out that the adoption of internet banking could be encouraged by perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and, finally customer satisfaction. Among the important factors to ensure these conditions are an advanced customer support system, user-friendly interface, promptness of services, and transparency of banking operations. Among the recommendations put forward by the authors, special attention is given to the requirements for the skills of bank personnel, the need for continuous training, and the establishment of targeted strategic indicators at the public level that facilitate the embeddedness of internet banking in the life of Vietnamese society.
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