The material was prepared according to a previously reported
method (Zhao et al., 1998) with minor modifications. SBA-15 powder
was synthesized using the triblock copolymer P123
(EO20PO70EO20) as a structure-directing agent. In the synthesis process,
2 g of P123 was dissolved in 60 mL of (2-M) HCl. Next, 4.5 g of
TEOS was added at 35 C. This aqueous solution of P123 and TEOS
was hydrothermally treated at 100 C for 48 h after stirring at 40 C
for 20 h. Finally, the product was filtered and dried at 80 C for
10 h.