Supercritical fluid extraction of amine surfactant in Hexagonal Mesoporous Silica (HMS)

Abstract

Supercritical carbon dioxide modified with 10 vol% methanol has been employed for the removal of the amine surfactant in hexagonal mesoporous silica (HMS). The effects of temperature and pressure on the extraction efficiency have been extensively studied. It has been found that within an hour, as high as 96% of the amine surfactant can be extracted at a relatively mild condition of 85°C and 100 bar. At constant pressure, high extraction efficiencies are obtained at 50 and 85°C while at constant temperature, high efficiencies occur at 100 bar and 250 bar. This work establishes the feasibility of using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) for the removal of the amine surfactant. In fact, it has been discovered that SFE produces HMS of more enhanced mesoporosity as compared to that of calcination. © 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.