Further Insight into the Definite Morphology and Formation Mechanism of Mesoporous Silica KCC-1

Abstract

The unique three-dimensional pore structure of KCC-1 has attracted significant attention and has proven to be different compared to other conventional mesoporous silica such as the MCM-41 family, SBA-15, or even MSN nanoparticles. In this research, we carefully examine the morphology of KCC-1 to define more appropriate nomenclature. We also propose a formation mechanism of KCC-1 based on our experimental evidence. Herein, the KCC-1 morphology was interpreted mainly on the basis of compiling all observation and information taken from SEM and TEM images. Further analysis on TEM images was carried out. The gray value intensity profile was derived from TEM images in order to determine the specific pattern of this unique morphology that is found to be clearly different from that of other types of porous spherical-like morphologies. On the basis of these results, the KCC-1 morphology would be more appropriately reclassified as bicontinuous concentric lamellar morphology. Some physical characteristics such as the origin of emulsion, electrical conductivity, and the local structure of water molecules in the KCC-1 emulsion were disclosed to reveal the formation mechanism of KCC-1. The origin of the KCC-1 emulsion was characterized by the observation of the Tyndall effect, conductometry to determine the critical micelle concentration, and Raman spectroscopy. In addition, the morphological evolution study during KCC-1 synthesis completes the portrait of the formation of mesoporous silica KCC-1.

Dendritic Fibrous Nanosilica for Catalysis, Energy Harvesting, Carbon Dioxide Mitigation, Drug Delivery, and Sensing

“…Recently, Febriyanti et al. also studied the mechanism of formation of DFNS by using gray value intensity patterns [generated from the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of DFNS], the critical micelle concentration (found by specific conductance measurements), and Raman spectroscopy. They observed different gray value patterns (U‐ and W‐shaped plots) for different silica morphologies.…”

Platinum‐promoted fibrous silica Y zeolite with enhanced mass transfer as a highly selective catalyst for n ‐dodecane hydroisomerization

“…The TEOS introduced into the system as silica precursor in the organic phase hydrolyzes by interacting with the hydrophobic tail of the CTA + ions and water into polar products (silanol groups and ethanol) . Febriyanti et al reported a drop in pH from 8.14 to 6.89 indicated the hydrolysis occurred in basic medium.…”

“…KCC‐1 is usually synthesized via microemulsion involving an interaction between a surfactant, oil phase (such as toluene), and aqueous phase (usually water). The technique offers controlled tuning of morphology, surface area, and mesoporosity of variety of catalyst supports …”

“…The technique offers controlled tuning of morphology, surface area, and mesoporosity of variety of catalyst supports. 22,23 In the present work, utilizing a modified approach derived from the KCC-1 synthesis method, a facile zeolite crystal-seed crystallization in a silica microemulsion system was engineered. This resulted in the formation of a unique catalyst with a core-shell structure, where fibrous silica encapsulates the zeolite Y seed (HY@KCC-1).…”

TiO2 Nanoparticles Supported on Hierarchical Meso/Macroporous SiO2 Spheres for Photocatalytic Applications

“…An alternative mechanism was proposed by Febriyanti et al [40], considering the optimal conditions for the synthesis of KCC-1 [29]. They suggest the formation of reverse micelles in which the sol-gel reactions take place at higher rate in the center of the droplet.…”