Characterization of mesoporous silica and its pseudomorphically transformed derivative by gas and liquid adsorption

Abstract Pseudomorphism is a term introduced by mineralogist to describe phase transformation that does not change the shape of a material. Pseudomorphic process, assisted by surfactants, for mesoporous pre-shaped silica particles allows to narrow the mesopore size distribution, to increase the surface area and the pore volume without changing the initial shape of silica particles. The textural, chemical and mechanical comparisons between commercial silica LiChrospher 60 (Merck) and its pseudomorphic transformation at constant particle size and morphology opens a unique opportunity to understand the effects of such mesoporosity transformation and judge the performance of both types of mater…