In situ functionalization of mesoporous silica within the pores of anodic alumina membranes

In situ functionalized mesoporous silica was prepared within the pores of anodic alumina membranes (AAMs) employing non-ionic surfactant templates Brij 56 and P123. The influence of a range of synthesis parameters on the confined mesopore structure was studied using small-angle X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy. The presence and nature of the functionalized silanes have a profound influence on the mesopore structure. For Brij 56-templated samples, a circular hexagonal mesopore structure is the preferred structure-type formed. Using ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, we studied the ordering of the Brij template molecules, showing that the lamellar structure is formed when the disorder of the template molecules, caused by the functional groups, becomes too great. The formation of P123-templated mesoporous silica was shown to be much more sensitive to the presence of functional groups, resulting in a lamellar structure in almost all cases.