Preparation of SnO2 Nanocrystallines-incorporated Large Mesoporous Silica Materials in a Self-generated Acidic Environment

SnO2 nanocrystallites embedded in the channels of large mesoporous SBA-15 silica materials were prepared through a one-pot process in self-generated acidic environment. The stannate ions were introduced into a pre-assembled P123-silicate colloidal solution in order to avoid the strong interference from the stannate ions in the self-assembly of silicate and pore-directing micelle. The ordered mesoporous structure of silica incorporated with SnO2 nanoparticles was observed after the mixture was stirred at 35 degrees C for 24 h. During the followed hydrothermal treatment, the pore structure of silica was re-organized and SnO2 aggregated into nanorods of tetragonal crystal structure inside the meso-channels, probed by N-2 sorption isotherms, HRTEM and XRD techniques. The size of the polycrystalline SnO2 nanorods was 5 similar to 6 nm in diameter and 10 similar to 30 nm in length.