Abstract
Both the pore size and particle diameter of aqueous colloidal mesostructured/mesoporous silica nanoparticles (CMSS/CMPS) derived from tetrapropoxysilane were effectively and easily controlled by the addition of trialkylbenzenes (TAB). Aqueous highly dispersed CMPS with large pores were successfully obtained through removal of surfactants and TAB by a dialysis process. The pore size (from 4 nm to 8 nm) and particle diameter (from 50 nm to 380 nm) were more effectively enlarged by the addition of 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene (TIPB) than 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (TMB), and the enlargement did not cause the variation of the mesostructure and particle morphology. The larger molecular size and higher hydrophobicity of TIPB than TMB induce the incorporation of TIPB into micelles without the structural change. When TMB was used as TAB, the pore size of CMSS was also enlarged while the mesostructure and particle morphology were varied. Interestingly, when tetramethoxysilane and TIPB were used, CMSS with a very small particle diameter (20 nm) with concave surfaces and large mesopores were obtained, which may strongly be related to the initial nucleation of CMSS. A judicious choice of TAB and Si sources is quite important to control the mesostructure, size of mesopores, particle diameter, and morphology.
Highlights
IntroductionDevelopment of the control in the composition, structure, and morphology of Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN).[38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46]
As shown in the distributions of hydrodynamic diameters measured by Dynamic light scattering (DLS) (Fig. S4†), all types of P_TIPBx-as show a single peak and no peaks above 1000 nm are observed
When tetramethoxysilane and TIPB were used, colloidal mesostructured silica nanoparticles (CMSS) with a small particle diameter (20 nm), concave surfaces, and a large pore size (5–8 nm) were obtained, which should be equivalent to particles formed at the initial nucleation
Summary
Development of the control in the composition, structure, and morphology of MSN.[38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46]. Duction of hydrophobicity into the reaction media can affect the hydrolysis rates of alkoxysilanes, followed by the variation of dominance between nucleation and particle growth.[80] how the differences in the amount and kind of TAB affect the pore size, pore arrangement, and particle diameter has not yet been clarified In this study, it has been clearly confirmed how trialkylbenzenes play a multifunctional role in the pore size, particle diameter, and morphology of colloidal mesostructured and mesoporous silica nanoparticles (CMSS and CMPS, respectively) under basic conditions ( please see Scheme 1). This leads to the development of siliceous materials which can contain more and larger guest molecules and can reduce the nanorisks of toxicity toward applications for drug delivery, bioimaging, and catalysis
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
