(163ae) Preparation of Ni-Supported Mesoporous Silica by Intercalation Treatment

A siliceous porous material containing nickel was synthesized by means of an intercalation treatment method using a layered sodium octosilicate ilerite as a starting base material. The sodium ions between the crystalline silicate sheets in the octosilicate were exchanged for protons in dilute hydrochloric acid, and then the basal spaces between the silicate sheets were extended by introducing n-octylamine into the silicate sheets. Tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) was added to the silicates, and the silicate pillars were structured between the silicate sheets by the hydrolysis of TEOS. The intercalation treatments were carried out under various conditions of reaction time and temperature. The specific surface area, pore distribution and adsorption isotherm of the intercalated octosilicates were measured, and the pillar structure in the intercalated octosilicates was characterized. The optimum conditions in the intercalation treatment were determined based on the characteristics of the intercalated octosilicates. The pore characteristics of intercalated octosilicates could be controlled by the molar amount of nickel ion in the aqueous solution added as an initiator of hydrolysis reaction of TEOS.