Silica matrices were prepared via acid catalysed sol-gel processing augmented
with sonocatalysis. As silica precursors, a mixture of tetra-functionalized
alkoxide (TMOS) and three-functionalized alkoxide methyl-trimethoxysilane
(MTMS) were employed. Ionic liquid N-butyl-3-methylpyridinium
tetrafluoroborate ([bmPy][BF4]), was used in various proportions, aiming to
catalyse the sol-gel reactions, and to influence the mesoporous silica
materials properties, serving as pore template. Small-angle neutron (SANS)
and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) techniques were used to explore the
xerogels and sonogels microstructure evolution as a function of the IL/Si
molar ratio. The results show a strong increase of the primary particle size
under the influence of the ionic liquid. Ultrasonic agitation leads to
further size increase by ca. 10%.