Suspended Silica Research Articles

Innovative suspended ring core fiber for SERS application

Solid core photonic crystal fibers (SC-PCFs) have garnered attention as probes for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) due to their potential as optofluidic devices, offering heightened sensitivity and reliability compared to traditional planar/colloidal nanoparticle-based SERS platforms. A smaller core allows for more light interaction but might compromise sensitivity and reliability due to reduced surface area for interaction. Here, we introduce an innovative SC-PCF design aimed at resolving the trade-off between increasing the evanescent field fraction and the core surface area. By substituting a suspended silica rod with a suspended thin-silica ring, we augment the surface area for attached nanoparticles by one order of magnitude while retaining a substantial amount of evanescent light interaction with the analyte. Experimental findings showcase an improved sensitivity in SERS signal compared to previously reported top-performing PCF sensor designs. Importantly, with necessary refinement and optimization, this innovative fiber design extends beyond SERS applications, potentially amplifying the sensitivity of various other fiber-based sensing platforms.

Interaction of Aqueous Bovine Serum Albumin with Silica Aerogel Microparticles: Sorption Induced Aggregation.

Mesoporous silica aerogels have a wide range of potential applications in biotechnology, the food industry, pharmacy and medicine. Understanding the nature of the interactions of biomolecules with these porous nanostructured materials is essential for achieving optimum performance in the targeted applications. In this study, the well-characterized bovine serum albumin (BSA) was chosen as a model protein to probe protein–aerogel interactions in the solution phase. Aqueous BSA was mixed with suspended silica aerogel microparticles, and the colloid system was monitored on-line by UV–vis spectrophotometry and turbidimetry. The global mathematical analysis of the time-resolved data reveals that the fast sorption of the protein on the aerogel microparticles follows a multistep binding mechanism. The extensive sorption of the protein eventually induces the aggregation of the covered aerogel due to the alteration of the electrical double layer of the particles. The interaction of BSA and silica aerogel is the strongest between pH = 4 and 5, because their native surface charges are the opposite in this pH range, as indicated by their respective zeta potentials.

Comparison of effects of homeopathic medicines prepared in glass and plastic vials in macrophage activity in vitro

Background: According to the “silica hypothesis” to explain the action of homeopathic medicines, complex nanoparticles involving the silica extracted from the walls of the glass vial during succussions would be needed to act on target cells. Aims: We aimed to know if suspended particles of silica found in Arsenicum album (AA) could be associated to its biological effects in vitro. Methodology: RAW 264.7 macrophages were co-cultured with yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) to promote phagocytosis. During this process, the cells were exposed to AA in different homeopathic dilutions (30K, 6cH and 200cH) prepared in both, glass or silica-fee plastic vials. All dilutions were prepared from the same 3cH matrix. Since parallel experiments showed random stimulating and inhibiting effects of homeopathic lactose, untreated cells and water were used as controls. The macrophage activity was measured by digital histometry (Metamorph®), reflecting the cell spreading and phagocytosis. A complementary analysis using the acridine orange stain in real time fluorescence microscopy was also performed to evaluate the organization of phago-lysosomes inside the cells. All experiments were performed in triplicate. Microparticles present in the medicines were identified in an EDS (energy dispersive x-ray detector) system (JEOL JMS 6510), according to their chemical elements composition. The morphology of particles was not considered for analysis, since it was considered irrelevant. Results: Experiment one: AA 30K and pure water, when prepared in plastic vials, were able to increase macrophage activity (p≤0.05), but the same result was not seen in cells treated with AA 30K or pure water stocked in glass. Experiment two: AA 200cH prepared in plastic vials also lead to significant increase of macrophage spreading (p≤0.05) in relation to the controls, but no effect was seen in the samples prepared in glass vials. Experiment three: No difference was observed in AA 6cH treated cells in relation to the controls. The morphology of the cells under fluorescence microscopy exhibited increase in lysosome activity in AA 200cH prepared in both plastic and glass vials, in relation to the untreated control. The EDS analysis has shown that only medicines prepared in glass vials contained suspended silica particles. Conclusions: Taken the data together, the unspecific effects on macrophage spreading after treatment with homeopathic AA 30K, 200cH and water prepared in plastic vials, added to the absence of silica particles in these preparations and the increase of lysosomal activity only seen in AA 200cH, independently of the vial nature, corroborate that silica might not be a mandatory condition to justify the biological effects of homeopathic medicines. Additionally, the existence of putative contaminants released from plastic vials during the medicine manipulation deserves further studies.
 Acknowledgements: CAPES, UNIP, ABFH

Quantitative evaluation of latent fingermarks with novel enhancement and illumination

A variety of suspended silica and metal nanoparticles have been used over the last 20 years to enhance latent fingermarks. This study quantitatively evaluates enhancement of natural and sebum-enriched fingermarks from three adult subjects acquired with a consistent applied force on glass with a fingermark press using suspended commercially available polystyrene (PS) particles. Images of the enhanced fingermarks acquired with total internal reflection (TIR), or standard overhead white light (WL), illumination are compared with fingermarks enhanced with conventional methods including cyanoacrylate fuming. The different enhancement and illumination methods are quantified based on the brightness and contrast of the fingermark images, as well as the number of minutiae that can be identified and matched to those on an inked manually acquired “template” fingermark using automatic fingerprint identification system (AFIS) software. Enhanced fingermarks acquired with the press are shown to be more consistent than manually acquired fingermarks based on these metrics. The results demonstrate that TIR illumination from a large-area illuminator built in house gives enhanced fingermark images with more matched minutiae and contrast superior to that for WL illumination for all types of enhancement. “Wet-powdering” with PS particles gives fingermark images that are for the most part comparable in terms of the number of matched minutiae to fingermarks enhanced with more conventional methods, suggesting that this novel enhancement method has a performance comparable to conventional enhancement methods. Interestingly, the age of the fingermark appears to have almost no effect on this new type of enhancement; sebum-enriched fingermarks ranging in age from 12 h to 435 days appear to have statistically identical numbers of matched minutiae.

The effects of S, Cl and oxygen fugacity on the sublimation of volatile trace metals degassed from silicate melts with implications for volcanic emissions

Volatile trace metals emitted to the atmosphere by volcanism can be complexed with ligands in a gas phase that undergoes large changes in temperature (T) and oxygen fugacity (fO2). To study this effect, a modified vertical tube gas-mixing furnace was used to investigate the role of S and Cl on the degassing and sublimation of volatile trace metals from silicate melt at 100 kPa over a range of fO2 from FMQ+5 to FMQ−4.6 at the melt-gas interface (where FMQ is the fayalite-quartz-magnetite buffer). Analogue phonolitic melt compositions in the Na2O-Fe2O3-Al2O3-SiO2 systems containing trace metals (Li, V, Fe, Cu, Ni, Zn, As, Y, Mo, Cd, Sn, Yb, Rb, Cs, Ag, Pb and Bi) are degassed at 950 °C and form sublimates along a temperature gradient (25–900 °C) in a suspended silica glass tube. Silica polymorphs are ubiquitous sublimates at all temperatures; halite is common below 600 °C with other less-easily identified oxides, sulfides, sulfates, chlorides and molybdates in trace quantities. The trace metal concentrations in the sublimates show trends used to infer their transport and deposition with temperature, fO2 and ligand identity. The sublimation of metals is mainly controlled by T. Monovalent Rb, Cs, and Ag sublime in halides at 350 ± 50 °C with transport dominated by Cl. The effect of fO2 is only observed for Zn, As, Pb, Cd, Bi, Fe, and Ni below ∼FMQ−3, where they change their sublimation host from sulfates or sulfides at 500 ± 50 °C to halides at 350 ± 50 °C. Molybdates subliming at 600 ± 50 °C host Li and Mo. No discernible host phase for Cu and Sn is observed with decreasing temperature. The experiments suggest different suites of trace metals in volcanic systems are transported with either S (Zn, As, Pb, ±Cd, ±Bi) or Cl (Rb, Cs, Ag, Fe, Ni, ±Cd, ±Bi) depending on T and fO2. Eruptions rich in Cl make halide sublimates a likely significant source of volatile trace metals to the environment.

Synthesis of nano silica particle from silica sand and characterization of nano silica based R134a refrigerant

This paper presents the synthesis and characterization of a mixture of different percentages of nano-silica with R134a as a refrigerant material. This work shows ways for enhancing the thermal performance of the vapor compression process and the effect of the suspended silica nanoparticle in the R134a refrigerant. Thermal characteristics such as thermal conductivity, specific heat, enthalpy of vaporization, boiling point, freezing temperature, critical temperature, and vapor density were measured. A comparative parametric study was also carried out between traditional R134a and nano-silica mixed R134a. Results show that the addition of 2% of nano-silica particles to R134a refrigerant leads to an increase in thermal conductivity from 0.009 to 0.011 W/m °C at 20 °C. The addition of the same amount of nano-silica to R134a refrigerant, leads to an increase in enthalpy of vaporization from 217 to 220.7 kJ/kg. Moreover, specific heat was decreased from 1.41 to 1.21 kJ/kg k, boiling temperature from −26 °C to −34 °C, and freezing temperature from −103.4 °C to −108.3 °C. These changes in the property of the proposed refrigerant are capable of enhancing the thermal properties in the vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The outcome of this research helps to develop household refrigerators with effective refrigerants that would make them more accessible for low-income and developing countries.

Two-Dimensional Phonon Polariton Heat Transport.

As is well-known, the phonon and electron thermal conductivity of a thin film generally decreases as its thickness scales down to nanoscales due to size effects, which have dramatic engineering effects, such as overheating, low reliability, and reduced lifetime of processors and other electronic components. However, given that thinner films have higher surface-to-volume ratios, the predominant surface effects in these nanomaterials enable the transport of thermal energy not only inside their volumes but also along their interfaces. In polar nanofilms, this interfacial transport is driven by surface phonon polaritons, which are electromagnetic waves generated at mid-infrared frequencies mainly by the phonon-photon coupling along their surfaces. Theory predicts that these polaritons can enhance the in-plane thermal conductivity of suspended silica films to values higher than the corresponding bulk one, as their thicknesses decrease through values smaller than 200 nm. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate this thermal conductivity enhancement. The results show that the in-plane thermal conductivity of a 20 nm thick silica film at room temperature is nearly twice its lattice vibration counterpart. Additional thermal diffusivity measurements reveal that the diffusivity of a silica film also increases as its thickness decreases, such that the ratio of thermal conductivity/thermal diffusivity (volumetric heat capacity) remains nearly independent of the film thickness. The experimental results obtained here will enable one to build on recent interesting theoretical predictions, highlight the existence of a new heat channel at the nanoscale, and provide a new avenue to engineer thermally conductive nanomaterials for efficient thermal management.

Investigation into the effect of silica nanoparticles on the rheological characteristics of water-in-heavy oil emulsions

The effect of silica nanoparticles on the rheological characteristics of water-in-heavy oil emulsions has been investigated. Enhanced oil recovery methods for heavy oil production (most especially, thermal fluid injection) usually result in the formation of water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion. In reality, the emulsion produced also contains some fine solid mineral particles such as silica, which, depending on its quantity, may alter the viscosity and/or rheological properties of the fluid. A series of binary-component emulsions were separately prepared by dispersing silica nanoparticles [phase fraction, βs, = 0.5%–5.75% (wt/v)] in heavy oil (S/O suspension) and by dispersing water [water cut, θw = 10%–53% (v/v)] in heavy oil (W/O emulsion). Ternary-component emulsions comprising heavy oil, water droplets and suspended silica nanoparticles (S/W/O) were also prepared with similar ranges of θw and βs. The viscosity was measured at different shear rates (5.1–1021.4 s−1) and temperatures (30–70 °C). Both binary-component and ternary-component emulsion systems were observed to exhibit non-Newtonian shear thinning behaviour. The viscosity of the heavy oil and W/O emulsions increased in the presence of silica nanoparticles. The effect was, however, less significant below βs = 2% (wt/v). Moreover, a generalized correlation has been proposed to predict the viscosity of both binary-component and ternary-component emulsions.

Improving the adhesion, flexibility, and hemostatic efficacy of a sprayable polymer blend surgical sealant by incorporating silica particles

Commercially available surgical sealants for internal use either lack sufficient adhesion or produce cytotoxicity. This work describes a surgical sealant based on a polymer blend of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) that increases wet tissue adherence by incorporation of nano-to-microscale silica particles, without significantly affecting cell viability, biodegradation rate, or local inflammation. In functional studies, PLGA/PEG/silica composite sealants produce intestinal burst pressures that are comparable to cyanoacrylate glue (160 mmHg), ∼2 times greater than the non-composite sealant (59 mmHg), and ∼3 times greater than fibrin glue (49 mmHg). The addition of silica to PLGA/PEG is compatible with a sprayable in situ deposition method called solution blow spinning and decreases coagulation time in vitro and in vivo. These improvements are biocompatible and cause minimal additional inflammation, demonstrating the potential of a simple composite design to increase adhesion to wet tissue through physical, noncovalent mechanisms and enable use in procedures requiring simultaneous occlusion and hemostasis. Statement of SignificanceIncorporating silica particles increases the tissue adhesion of a polymer blend surgical sealant. The particles enable interfacial physical bonding with tissue and enhance the flexibility of the bulk of the sealant, without significantly affecting cytotoxicity, inflammation, or biodegradation. These studies also demonstrate how silica particles decrease blood coagulation time.This surgical sealant improves upon conventional devices because it can be easily deposited with accuracy directly onto the surgical site as a solid polymer fiber mat. The deposition method, solution blow spinning, allows for high loading in the composite fibers, which are sprayed from a polymer blend solution containing suspended silica particles. These findings could easily be translated to other implantable or wearable devices due to the versatility of silica particles.

The effect of low pH in erosion-corrosion resistance of high chromium cast irons and stainless steels

Corrosive wear is a form of material degradation that is known to occur on equipment and components that handle suspended solids in aqueous solutions. This surface deterioration process is generally enhanced when the fluids contain chlorides that are acidic in nature. Such environments are encountered in many applications, one such example being the minerals processing industry.High chromium white cast irons are widely used in many engineering applications as they extend the service life beyond that of stainless steels. In this work, the corrosive wear of austenitic stainless steel UNS S31600 and martensitic stainless steel UNS S42000 are compared with high chromium white cast irons (27WCI and 37WCI) by using a submerged jet technique at perpendicular incidence. The testing medium consisted of 3.5% NaCl liquid solution (pH 7 and pH 3) with suspended silica sand particles. The post-test methodology characterised the material loss within the directly impinged zone and turbulent zone where abrasive damage is involved. In neutral conditions, the presence of chromium carbides in white cast irons provided benefits, whilst in the acidic conditions, the austenitic structured materials (for stainless steels and white cast irons) suffered lower overall material loss compared with the martensitic structured materials.

Electrical Detection, Identification, and Quantification of Exosomes

Exosomes are intercellular communication vehicles containing cell-specific molecules that can be quantified using different biochemical or biophysical techniques. This paper explores the use of capacitance-voltage electrical measurements for the label-free detection, identification, and quantifications of exosomes. With the application of voltage, an interface effective layer is formed because of the interaction between the exosome surface and its surrounding media. The exosomes store electrical energy when electrically polarized, thus enabling its electrical detection. A specific electrical capacitance-voltage profile is attributed to the precise nature of the respective exosomes, which helps in both identification and quantification. The exosome count is estimated by calculating the impurities inside a defined volume by observing the changes in electrical parameters extracted from the capacitance-voltage measurements. This technique could be applied to count suspended silica and liposomes nanoparticles as well. This approach was found to be faster and less expensive than other existing techniques.

Polarization-independent narrow-band optical filters with suspended subwavelength silica grating in the infrared region

We numerically demonstrate that a properly designed guided mode resonance filter (GMRF) with suspended silica (SiO2) subwavelength grating (SSG) can exhibit non-polarizing resonant filtering effect under normal incidence. By choosing appropriate parameters, including the incident wavelength, the grating period, the grating thickness, and the fill factor, the same resonance wavelengths for both transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) polarizations can be achieved. Results show that high reflection (more than 99.9%) can be obtained at the resonance wavelength (1.55μm), and the full-width at half maximums (FWHMs) of TE- and TM-polarized light are only 1.0×10−2μm and 1.4×10−3μm, respectively. The reflectance peak splits into two branches when the incident light deviates from normal incidence. It is expected that the designed SSG should have applications in optical telecommunication systems or wavelength division multiplexing systems with an arbitrary state of polarization.

Silica exposure in the glass industry and human health risk assessment

Introduction: Among adverse effects in mines and industries, silica dust often been the subject of many controversies. Its severe and incurable side effects call for special attention to as well as assessment and control in workplaces. This study aims to determine the rate of silica concentration in the breathing zones of the glass industry in a comparison to standard limits in order to improve the safety of workers exposed to these particles. Materials and Methods: Being conducted in a glass factory in Tehran, this research employed a sampling method to measure the silica dust diffusion in six consecutive years from 2005 to 2010. The most effective method of dust level measurement in a workplace is to take samples in the breathing zone of workers exposed to it. In the subject factory, the sampling was performed in four sectors with the highest level of occupational exposure to the respirable dust. (1) Material charging unit, Excavator Operator. (2) Miscellaneous material weighing Operator (mixer). (3) Material charging, loading unit Operator. (4) Discharge (unloading) zone. The silica compound sampling and measur was conducted via the method by National Institute of US Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH). By this method, the silica particles in the air were collected on the sorbent tube containing activated carbon (coconut shell) SKC-USA No. 226-01 and the sampling pump Model 222 ml/count, SKC with a flow rate of two liters per minute in the active method for 30 minutes. Then, observing necessary conditions and the chain of cold (Stored at 4΀C), the samples were transferred to the laboratory. The breathing zone samples were also collected from the four mentioned sectors by the sampling pump. Samples were analyzed with the Flame Ionization Detector, when they were transferred to the laboratory by Gas Chromatography Apparatus with the Flame. Results: Time-weighted a Average (TWA) exposure was at its highest level in 2009 and at its lowest level in 2008. Findings of the study also revealed that the amount of environmental silica dust threshold limit value in the material charging Unit of loading and Excavator Operators in the discharge zone was higher than the threshold limit value. After determining the dispersion density of suspended silica particles, TLV, TWA, and the non-cancer risk ratio of the particles in the mentioned sectors, control strategies and corrective suggestions were proposed. Conclusions: Results showed that, the silica concentration in the breathing zone of the glass industry was higher than the threshold limit value. Silica is a carcinogenic material causes chronic respiratory diseases and silicosis, therefore it is recommended to observe the safety principles and use wet silica in stead. The concentration of silica is at its highest level in the loading and unloading units, thus the engineering and managing controls should be utilized to avoid the direct exposure to these suspended particles. Moreover, the workers in these sectors should be well-trained regarding the exposure to silica and use of individual protective equipment.

Combined Experimental and Computational Investigation of the Fluorescence Quenching of Riboflavin by Cinnamic Alcohol Chemisorbed on Silica Nanoparticles

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is usually present in water courses, lakes, and seas and acts as a photosensitizer in the photo-oxidation of a range of contaminants. However, little is known about the interaction of this compound with aromatics sorbed on silica sediments or on suspended silica particles. This article describes the modification and characterization of silica nanoparticles by condensation of the silanol groups of the particles with E-cinnamic alcohol. The reaction was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), solid-state 13C and 29Si cross-polarization magic angle spinning (CPMAS) NMR, reduction of the specific surface area measured by BET, thermal analysis, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Toxicity to the marine bacteria Vibrio fischeri of the modified particles was also measured. Riboflavin fluorescence was quenched in aqueous medium in the presence of dissolved E-cinnamic alcohol or in suspensions of the modified particles. The results are interpreted in terms of formation of 1:...

Optimal design of suspended silica on-chip splitter

Photonic splitters and couplers are one of the fundamental elements in integrated optical circuits. As such, over the past decade significant research efforts have been dedicated to the development of low loss, wide bandwidth devices. While silica-based devices have clear advantages in terms of bandwidth, silicon and silicon nitride devices have lead the field in terms of ease of integration. In the present work, we provide design parameters for a novel splitter based on a suspended silica device. Unlike previous coupler devices which have smooth transition regions, the proposed device has a small defect which enables coupling across a large membrane. The designs are based on 3D FDTD models, and incorporate wavelength, refractive index and polarization dependence. The model is experimentally verified at select wavelengths from the visible through the near-IR. For comparison, we have also modeled the splitting ratio for several materials which are commonly used as waveguiding devices.

Surface effects of ribbon heaters on critical heat flux in nanofluid pool boiling

This paper deals with a study of enhanced critical heat flux (CHF) and burnout heat flux (BHF) in pool boiling of water with suspended silica nanoparticles using Nichrome wires and ribbons. Previously the current authors and other researchers have reported three-digit percentage increase in critical heat flux in silica nanofluids. This study investigates the effect of various heater surface dimensions, cross-sectional shapes as well as surface modifications on pool boiling heat transfer characteristics of water and water-based nanofluids. Our data suggest that the CHF and BHF decrease as heater surface area increases. For concentrations from 0.1vol% to 2vol%, the deposition of the particles on the wire allows high heat transfer through inter-agglomerate pores, resulting in a nearly 3-fold increase in burnout heat flux at very low concentrations. The nanoparticle deposition plays a major role through variation in porosity. The CHF enhancement is non-monotonic with respect to concentration. As the concentration is increased, the CHF and BHF decrease prior to increasing again at higher concentrations. Results show a maximum of 270% CHF enhancement for ribbon-type heaters. The surface morphology of the heater was investigated using SEM and EDS analyses, and it was inferred that the 2vol% concentration deposition coating had higher porosity and rate of deposition compared with 0.2vol% case.

Synthesis and Characterization of Nano Heat Transfer Fluid (NHTF)

This paper describes a nano-heat transfer fluid (NHTF) consisting of a novel mixture of alkali metal nitrate salt eutectic doped with silica nanoparticles at 0.5% mass concentration with a low melting point, high thermal stability and high specific heat capacity. These properties produce a wide operating range Heat Transfer Fluid and enable effective thermal storage for parabolic trough concentrating solar power plants as compared to present molten salt heat transfer fluids that usually has a high melting point, typically 220°C or higher. This limits its use due to the risk of freezing. The advanced NHTF exploits eutectic behavior with a novel composition of materials and nanoparticles, resulting in a low melting point of 120 °C, a thermal stability limit over 500 °C and an increase in specific heat capacity owing to the presence of suspended silica nanoparticles.

Suspended bridge-like silica 2×2 beam splitter on silicon

We report a successful experimental realization of a 2×2 suspended silica splitter integrated on a silicon substrate. The silica splitter was photo-lithographically patterned, etched, and reflowed to form the suspended and rounded silica waveguide channels. The silica splitter showed a flat splitting ratio and excess loss over a wide wavelength range from 1520 to 1630 nm with a low crosstalk. Additionally, as a result of the very low nonlinear coefficients of silica, the splitting ratio is independent of input power.

Interaction of guided light in rib polymer waveguides with dielectrophoretically controlled nanoparticles

This work demonstrates an optofluidic system, where dielectrophoretically controlled suspended nanoparticles are used to manipulate the properties of an optical waveguide. This optofluidic device is composed of a multimode polymeric rib waveguide and a microfluidic channel as its upper cladding. This channel integrates dielectrophoretic (DEP) microelectrodes and is infiltrated with suspended silica and tungsten trioxide nanoparticles. By applying electrical signals with various intensities and frequencies to the DEP microelectrodes, the nanoparticles can be concentrated close to the waveguide surface significantly altering the optical properties in this region. Depending on the particle refractive indices, concentrations, positions and dimensions, the light remains confined or is scattered into the surrounding media in the microfluidic channel.

Assembly of uniform photoluminescent microcomposites using a novel micro‐fluidic‐jet‐spray‐dryer

AbstractGeneration of uniform micro‐particles containing (i) pure lactose; (ii) silica nanoparticles and lactose; (iii) silica nanoparticles/lactose doped with Eu(III) have been successfully achieved using a novel spray dryer with a uniquely designed microfluidic aerosol nozzle as the monodisperse droplet generator. Here we investigate the impacts of precursor compositions and concentrations, as well as the drying temperature profile on particle size, morphology, and surface element distribution. Distinct morphologies are observed with different precursor compositions, ranging from smooth spherical lactose microparticles to the buckled shape for composites containing silica nanoparticles. The formation of such morphology is qualitatively interpreted by using Peclet number, indicating that the presence of the suspended silica nanoparticles facilitates shell formation at the early stage of the drying process. As the drying continue, such shell is subject to buckling, induced by the capillary force due to the lower mechanical integrity inside the droplet. Post calcination, transmission electron micrographs of Eu(III)/silica nanoparticles/lactose microcomposites confirm the formation of nano‐sized Eu2O3 homogeneously embedded on the silica shell. Photoluminescence spectra of these particles indicate that enhancement of photoluminescence intensity is directly related to the europium loading, which could be adjusted from the precursor composition. This work demonstrates a scalable route to assemble relatively complex composites with uniform properties, without extensive conjugation or purification steps commonly required in wet chemistry‐based processes. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011