Hierarchical hollow monetite microspheres assembled with mesoporous nanosheets: Synthesis and applications in superior adsorbents for lead ions and pH-responsive release drug carrier

Abstract

Hierarchical hollow monetite microspheres assembled with mesoporous nanosheets were firstly synthesized templating by both large and small micelles of mono-dodecyl phosphate. The obtained hollow monetite microspheres had a diameter of 10 ∼ 30 μm with a specific surface area of 86.76 m2 g−1 and a total pore volume of 0.466 cm3 g−1. The monetite nanosheets which were assembly units of the hollow microspheres possessed many mesopores with a pore size of about 25 nm. The mesoporous hollow monetite microspheres had adsorption capacity of lead ions and vancomycin as high as 1435.6 mg g−1 and 518 mg g−1, respectively. And the vancomycin loaded monetite microspheres exhibited a pH-responsive drug release behavior. The mesoporous hollow monetite microspheres have great potential in contaminants adsorbents and drug carriers.