Abstract: A method of preparing mesoporous inorganic oxide spherical particles includes providing a reaction mixture capable of producing mesoporous inorganic oxide spheres; heating the reaction mixture to produce mesostructured inorganic oxide particles and removing organic material from the mesostructured inorganic oxide particles to form the mesoporous inorganic oxide spherical particles. In one embodiment a reaction mixture includes a proton donor, a source of inorganic oxide, and a source of fluoride. In another embodiment a reaction mixture includes a proton donor, a source of inorganic oxide, and an alcohol. Mesoporous inorganic oxide spheres produced by the method of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: A method of preparing mesoporous inorganic oxide spherical particles includes providing a reaction mixture capable of producing mesoporous inorganic oxide spheres; heating the reaction mixture to produce mesostructured inorganic oxide particles and removing organic material from the mesostructured inorganic oxide particles to form the mesoporous inorganic oxide spherical particles. In one embodiment a reaction mixture includes a proton donor, a source of inorganic oxide, and a source of fluoride. In another embodiment a reaction mixture includes a proton donor, a source of inorganic oxide, and an alcohol. Mesoporous inorganic oxide spheres produced by the method of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: A method of preparing mesoporous silica from a reaction mixture comprising a mineral acid such as HCl, an inorganic oxide source such as tetraethoxysilane, a surfactant such as cetyltrimethlyammonium bromide and water. The reaction mixture is mixed, e.g., by stirring or sonication, until sufficiently polymerized that mesostructured silica may be formed by a subsequent heating step, as indicated by the reaction mixture becoming opaque. This mixing is typically performed at room temperature for about 30-70 minutes. Then, the reaction mixture is heated in a pressurized vessel at a time, temperature and pressure sufficient to form mesostructured silica, e.g., at 60 to 230° C. for 15 to 80 minutes. Finally, mesoporous silica is recovered by filtering, drying and calcining in a furnace having a temperature in the range of 400 to 600° C. in air for at least 6 hours.