One-step synthesis of large pore mesoporous metallo-aluminophosphates under nonaqueous media

The simple and generalized one-step synthesis of large pore mesoporous metallo-aluminophosphates (MeAPOs) by using "acid-base pairs" route and nonionic block copolymer surfactant F127 as a template under non-aqueous media is described. By using this method, a series of transition and rare earth metals (e.g. Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mn, Sn, Sb, B, Cr, Nd, Y, Ce) can be introduced into the framework of aluminophosphates with tunable Me/Al ratio (0 ∼ 0.4) and disperse evenly without the formation of bulky metal oxides crystals. The products (MeAPOs) have large mesopore (up to 7 nm) and show good thermal stability (up to 550°C), suggesting this one-step method is a general and effective way in the synthesis of mesoporous metallo-aluminophosphates.