Mesoporous Silica SBA-15 - Formation, Modification and Application

Abstract: Several aspects related to the mesoporous silica material SBA-15 have been studied through the use of a wide range of experimental techniques, including low voltage high-resolution scanning electron microscopy, small angle X-ray scattering and nitrogen sorption. This work contains three parts, which are in many ways overlapping. The first part deals with the formation of SBA-15, it is found that a mechanism of transient colloidal stability governs the growth of particles. In the second part, a modified experimental protocol is developed in order to independently fine-tune the intrawall porosity and primary mesoporosity of SBA- 15. Furthermore, the influence of solvent conditions on the development of structural details such as plugs and pore corrugations is investigated. Finally the last part deals with the use of SBA-15 material in applied problems, including controlled particle deposition and drug delivery. No matter the topic, the aim is to always base the applied strategies on a solid foundation of the understanding of the basic physiochemical processes relevant to the system under study. The work is presented in a way that there is a red line going through, showing how good understanding of fundamental processes opens up for possibilities to tune material properties, which in turn improves the material for use in application.