Preparation of hydrothermally stable mercapto-functionalized mesoporous silicas via assembly of nanoclustered zeolite Y seeds and 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane

The preparation of a series of 3-mercaptopropyl-functionalized mesoporous silicas of MSU was achieved by a one-pot synthesis process involving the assembly of nanoclustered zeolite Y seeds and 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS) in the presence of Brij 76 (C18EO20). The effect of synthetic parameters, such as reaction temperature, MPTMS content and pH value of reaction mixture on the properties of materials was investigated systemically. It was found that the sample with 10% organo-functionalization of the framework silicon sites prepared at 348 K and pH 6.0 retained both its structural integrity and functionalities after the treatment in water at 373 K for 150 h. Enhanced hydrothermal stability of the materials in this study was greatly attributed to the successful introduction of zeolite Y seeds into the mesostructured framework walls.