Influence of block copolymer (P123) concentration on the morphology and pore structure of calcium silicate materials

Phi Hung Dao; Thuy Chinh Nguyen; Thi Huong Nguyen; Thao Linh Bui; Hoang Thai

doi:10.15625/0868-3166/23242

Author affiliations

Authors

Phi Hung Dao https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2534-1712
Thuy Chinh Nguyen https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8016-3835
Thi Huong Nguyen
Thao Linh Bui
Hoang Thai

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15625/0868-3166/23242

Keywords:

Calcium silicate (CaSiO3), Mesoporous materials, Sol-gel synthesis, P123 surfactant, BET surface area, Pore size distribution

Abstract

In this study, porous calcium silicate (CaSiO₃) materials were synthesized via a sol-gel method using different concentrations of the nonionic surfactant P123 (10 wt.%, 20 wt.%, and 30 wt.%) as structure-directing agents. The effect of P123 content on the textural properties of the resulting materials was systematically investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis (BET/BJH) were employed to characterize their structural and morphological features. The results indicate that the sample synthesized with 10 wt.%) P123 (Ca10) exhibited the highest surface area (117.3 m2/g) and well-developed mesoporous structure. Increasing P123 content to 20 wt.%) (Ca20) enhanced pore connectivity and cumulative pore volume, while excessive surfactant (30 wt.%), Ca30) led to structural collapse, resulting in decreased surface area and reduced mesoporosity. These findings highlight the importance of controlling the surfactant content to optimize the porosity of calcium silicate for potential applications in drug delivery, adsorption, and catalysis.

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