Hierarchical fabrication of silica cocoon with hexagonally ordered channel constructed wall via an emulsion-assisted process

Abstract

Silica cocoons are synthesized via a cooperation of hexagonal P123 micelles and O/W emulsions. These silica cocoons are closed on one side but open on another side. The wall of these silica cocoons is hierarchically constructed by hexagonally ordered channels, which is produced by the aggregation of P123 micelles onto the emulsion droplets while the alternating protuberant and hollow wall of these silica cocoons result from a preferential silica condensation around the emulsion droplets. This paper provides a tunable route to synthesis hierarchically constructed nano-sized silica material with 200–500 nm long hexagonally ordered channels, which is determined by the size of the emulsion droplets.