SYNTHESIS OF MCM-41 MESOPOROUS MATERIAL USING FRESHWATER SPONGE AS A SOURCE OF SILICA

Fresh water sponge was used as a silica source for the synthesis of MCM-41 via the hydrothermal process. The silica was extracted from the sponge by washing with nitric acid and piranha solution. Synthesis of MCM-41 was performed at 100 degrees C for 5 days and the procedure was optimized, with modifications made to the leaching temperature of the silica and the synthesis of mesoporous material, which was characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM and adsorption of N-2. The optimal result was achieved at a temperature of 135 degrees C for 3 days, showing ordered mesoporous material with a surface area of 1080 m(2) g(-1).