A convenient solvothermal method to synthesize highly ordered mesoporous silica SBA-15 with high loading of amino groups

Abstract Developing a convenient method to prepare mesoporous silica with high loading of functional groups is vital for further applications. In this work, a convenient solvothermal method was employed to synthesize highly ordered mesoporous silica SBA-15 with high loading of amino groups. The properties of amino-functionalization SBA-15 obtained by conventional reflux and solvothermal method were compared. Furthermore, the effects of synthesis temperature and time on the amino content were investigated systematically. It was found that highly ordered SBA-15 with high loading of amino functional groups (up to 3.52 mmol g −1 ) can be synthesized through the post-grafting via solvothermal method at low temperature (80 °C) for short time (2 h). This convenient method can be extended to synthesize other functional materials.