One-Pot Synthesis and Surfactant Removal from MCM-41 Using Microwave Irradiation
Marília R. Oliveira,
Yasmin T. Barboza,
Thauane S. L. Silva,
Juan A. Cecilia,
Enrique Rodríguez-Castellón,
Silvia M. Egues,
Juliana F. De Conto
Affiliations
Marília R. Oliveira
Center for Studies in Colloidal Systems (NUESC), Laboratory of Materials Synthesis and Chromatography, Institute of Technology and Research (ITP), Aracaju 49032-490, SE, Brazil
Yasmin T. Barboza
Center for Studies in Colloidal Systems (NUESC), Laboratory of Materials Synthesis and Chromatography, Institute of Technology and Research (ITP), Aracaju 49032-490, SE, Brazil
Thauane S. L. Silva
Center for Studies in Colloidal Systems (NUESC), Laboratory of Materials Synthesis and Chromatography, Institute of Technology and Research (ITP), Aracaju 49032-490, SE, Brazil
Juan A. Cecilia
Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Crystallography, and Mineralogy, Faculty of Sciences, University of Malaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
Enrique Rodríguez-Castellón
Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Crystallography, and Mineralogy, Faculty of Sciences, University of Malaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
Silvia M. Egues
Center for Studies in Colloidal Systems (NUESC), Laboratory of Materials Synthesis and Chromatography, Institute of Technology and Research (ITP), Aracaju 49032-490, SE, Brazil
Juliana F. De Conto
Center for Studies in Colloidal Systems (NUESC), Laboratory of Materials Synthesis and Chromatography, Institute of Technology and Research (ITP), Aracaju 49032-490, SE, Brazil
This research pioneers the application of microwave irradiation as an innovative strategy for one-pot synthesis and surfactant elimination (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide—CTAB) from MCM-41, introducing a rapid and efficient methodology. MCM-41 silica is widely utilized in various applications due to its unique textural and structural properties. Nonetheless, the presence of residual surfactants after synthesis poses a challenge to its effective application. MCM-41 synthesis, conducted in a microwave reactor at 60 °C, provided a result within 0.5 to 1 h. Comprehensive analyses of structural, chemical, morphological, and surface characteristics were undertaken, with a focus on the impact of synthesis time on these properties. Surfactant extraction involved the use of ethanol as a solvent at 120 °C for 6 min within the microwave reactor. The acquired particles, coupled with the properties of textural and structural features, affirmed the efficacy of the synthesis process, resulting in the synthesis of MCM-41 within 36 min. This study presents the first instance of one-pot synthesis and surfactant removal from MCM-41 using a microwave reactor. The proposed method not only addresses the surfactant removal challenge, but also substantially accelerates the synthesis process, thereby enhancing the potential for MCM-41’s application in diverse fields.
