Synthesis of vanadium-mesoporous hollow spheres

Vanadium-containing mesoporous silica with hollow spherical morphology was successfully synthesized by using CTAB, SDS and P123 as co-template. The influences of vanadium content and reaction conditions on the formation of the materials were also studied. Results indicated that the hollow spheres could not be shaped as molar ratio of V to Si was lower than 0.05 while excess vanadium content led large amount of vanadium oxides existed in the materials. The adequate molar ratio of V to Si was 0.1. The optimal synthesis conditions were reacted at 45°C for 2 h under pH value of 5. The products with regular structure and morphology exhibited high catalytic activity on the selective oxidation of styrene by hydrogen peroxide.