Fresh water sponge was used as a silica source for the synthesis of MCM-41 via the hydrothermal process. The silica was extracted from the sponge by washing with nitric acid and piranha solution. Synthesis of MCM-41 was performed at 100 °C for 5 days and the procedure was optimized, with modifications made to the leaching temperature of the silica and the synthesis of mesoporous material, which was characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM and adsorption of N2. The optimal result was achieved at a temperature of 135 °C for 3 days, showing ordered mesoporous material with a surface area of 1080 m² g-1.
synthesis; bio-silica; mesoporous
