Fine-Tuning of Silica Nanosphere Structure by Simple Regulation of the Volume Ratio of Cosolvents

Abstract

Silica nanospheres with varied morphologies and pore structures, including mesoporous nanospheres, nanospheres with hierarchical pores (from 2 to 100 nm), and hollow nanospheres of mesoporous shell, were fabricated at room temperature simply by regulating the ethanol/ethyl ether volume ratio in the starting solution. The silica nanostructures were characterized by small-angle X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurements. Based on experimental results, a plausible mechanism for the structural regulation of mesoporous silicas has been put forward. These novel nanostructures of hierarchical pores provide an ideal scaffold for biological, medical, and catalytic applications.