Template synthesis of mesoporous silicas with the use of nanocrystalline cellulose

The porous structure of silica samples prepared via sol–gel synthesis with the use of nanocrystalline cellulose particles as a template has been studied by low-temperature nitrogen adsorption. The influence of the concentration of a nanocrystalline cellulose dispersion, template content in the nanocrystalline cellulose/SiO2 composite, and the conditions of the sol–gel synthesis on the porous structure of silica has been investigated.