A simple one-pot route to mesoporous silicas SBA-15 functionalized with exceptionally high loadings of pendant carboxylic acid groups.

Ordered SBA-15 functionalized with a high loading of pendant carboxylate groups has been synthesized via co-condensation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and carboxyethylsilanetriol sodium salt (CES) templated by Pluronic P123 under acidic conditions.