Impact of acidic/hydrothermal treatment on pore structural and chromatographic properties of porous silicas

Abstract A series of commercial silicas and a laboratory made product were subjected to acidic/hydrothermal treatment with solutions of HCI, HNO3, H2SO4 and HF. The concentration of acid and the temperature and duration of treatment were varied. The specific surface area, content of metal impurities, types and concentration of surface hydroxyl and siloxane groups and crystallinity were determined for native and treated silicas. Only changes in the structural order of the surface could be assessed by means of 19Si cross-polarization magic angle spinning NMR spectrometry and electron diffraction. The native and acid-treated silicas were surface modified to n-octyl derivatives and tested under…