Synthesis and application of fatty acid derived templates for the preparation of mesostructured silica material

Abstract

Bio-Organic-Salts (BOSs) synthesized from fatty acid methyl esters (FAMESs) have been developed for use as a bio-derived template for mesostructured material. Fatty acid derived imidazolium salts were prepared from very high oleic acid (VHOSO), linseed oil, and castor oil by a three-step synthesis involving transesterification, amidation and quaternisation. The as prepared BOSs were successfully applied as structuring agents for hexagonal mesoporous materials without necessity of hydrothermal treatment, as confirmed by TEM, SAXS and nitrogen physisorption.