Using tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) as silica source and cethltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as template, MCM-48 mesoporous molecular sieves were synthesized by hydrothermal methods. The yield of MCM-48 was pH-dependant, with lower pH leading to higher yields. At pH 7, the yield was as high as 97%.XRD and N2 adsorption- desorption isotherm were used to characterize the products. The MCM- 48 prepared this way showed high specific surface areas and ordered channel systems.

Key words: ORGANO SILICON COMPOUNDS, PORE SIZE DISTRIBUTION, MOLECULAR SIEVE, YELD, HYDRO-THERMAL METHOD