Mesoporous silica matrices have been prepared via classic acid catalyzed and sono-catalyzed
sol-gel routes. Tetramethoxysilan (TMOS) and methyl-trimethoxysilane (MTMS) were used
as silica precursors, and N-butyl-3-methylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate ([bmPy][BF4])
was employed as co-solvent and pore template. The ionic liquid (IL) to silica mole
ratio was varied between 0.007 and 0.07. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption and small-angle
neutron scattering measurements were used to characterize the obtained materials.
The ionic liquid played the role of catalyst that affected the formation of the primary
xerogel particles, and changed the porosity of the materials. Ultrasound treatment
resulted in microstructure change on the level of the colloid particle aggregates.
In comparison with IL containing xerogels, the IL containing sonogels show increased
pore diameter, bigger pore volumes and diminished surface areas.
