Wormhole Mesoporous Silica Framework with Enhanced Thiol Loading for Improved Hg 2+ Sequestration

Thiol-functionalized mesoporous silica and materials potentially dedicated to diverse applications of composite materials, metal colloids, and metal catalysts, etc. Here, we developed a new synthesis route for 3-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane (MPTMS) functionalized mesoporous silica (KIT-6), achieving a 71.5 % enhancement in thiol functionalization on KIT-6 surfaces. Characterization using XRD, TEM, BET, FTIR, Raman, Si NMR, XPS, and ICP-OES revealed structural and morphological features. XRD, TEM, and BET confirmed the three-dimensional structural stabilization of mesoporous silica with ~4 nm pore diameter and a surface area of 1451 m g . FTIR, Raman, and Si NMR studies established the mechanism of thiol functionalization, the formation of a new wormhole chain structural framework (WCSF), and stabilization through hydrogen bonding within the mesopores. The Si NMR spectra showed characteristic peaks (T , T , Q , Q ) indicating self-condensed functionalized thiols with siloxane networks. XPS analysis validated enhanced thiol functionalization, indicating a structurally homogeneous WCSF suitable for mercury adsorption. ICP-OES measured a mercury adsorption capacity of 3199.6 mg g for KIT-6, with an Hg /S ratio of 1.8, corroborated by molecular structure and mechanism analysis. This innovative thiol functionalization approach enhances the efficacy of applications such as extracting Hg from contaminated sources.