Effects of preparation parameters on the morphology of chitosan‐silica hybrid hollow nanospheres

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of preparation process and amounts of starting materials on the morphology of chitosan‐silica (CS‐silica) hybrid hollow nanospheres.Design/methodology/approachA simple method coupling sol‐gel process and in situ self‐assembly was used to prepare CS‐silica nanospheres from the solution containing chitosan‐poly (acrylic acid) (CS‐PAA) nanoparticles, tetraethoxyorthosilicate (TEOS) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The morphology of CS‐silica hybrid hollow nanospheres was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The chemical structures of CS‐PAA nanoparticles and CS‐silica nanospheres were characterised by FT‐IR spectra.FindingsThe size and morphology of CS‐silica nanospheres was largely dependent on the starting amounts of TEOS, PVP and ammonia. Moreover, the reaction time can also affect the structures of the hybrid nanospheres.Research limitations/implicationsThe dispersibility of CS‐silica nanospheres was not good enough and the conglutination was inevitable to some extent.Practical implicationsThe coupling of sol‐gel technology and in situ self‐assembly opened a new gateway for preparing other organic/inorganic composite nanoparticles. This kind of material could be used as a slow release agent for biocides in coatings/paints.Originality/valueThe hybrid CS‐silica nanospheres showed obvious hollow structures. The morphology of nanospheres can be efficaciously controlled via adjusting the starting amounts of PVP, TEOS and ammonia, and the stirring time. The obtained CS‐silica hybrid nanospheres will have potential applications in such as drug delivery and controlled release.