Abstract

MCM-41 mesoporous silica nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by the condensation of tetraorthosilicate precursor (TEOS) using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as the orientation substance in alkaline (pH = 9–12), deionized water as solvent. The samples were calcinated at 550°C for 5 hours. The structural characteristics of samples were analyzed by using Small angle X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), FT-IR and isothermal adsorption of nitrogen. Optimizing the fabrication parameters, MCM-41 particles have been obtained with a spherical shape, size of 80-140 nm, pore diameter of 2–5 nm and surface area (BET) of 986,683 m2g-1. Rhodamine B adsorption of MCM-41 showed that the maximum adsorption capacity value was 299,696 mg/g, suggesting the potential of this material to design of controlled drug delivery systems.