Preparation of a series of mesoporous lanthanide oxides by a neutral supramolecular templating route

Abstract

In this study, data are provided that detail the first preparation of high surface area and structurally ordered mesoporous lanthanide oxides by a neutral surfactant supramolecular templating route. For the first time, retention of mesoporosity in lanthanide oxides (other than those of cerium) after surfactant removal by simple air calcination at temperatures to 450 °C is demonstrated. The as-prepared lanthanide–surfactant composites displayed long range ordering of the mesoporous phase and although significant amounts of order can be lost, the materials exhibit a large degree of porosity, high surface area and some ordering of the pore array after high temperature calcination. In the case of lanthanum oxide, a mesoporous material displaying a cubic structured array of pores was obtained. The heavier lanthanide analogues readily formed lamellar phases. Removal of water and surfactant from between lamellae was found to result in some collapse of the as-prepared porous structures although in all cases mesoporosity was still evident. Ytterbium was found to exhibit more complex behaviour with a cubic phase being generated. This material was also found to display reduced periodicity of the pore structure on calcination and all materials retained highly textured surfaces after the thermal treatment to remove surfactant.