Synthesis Of Silica Nanoparticles Research Articles

Controllable Synthesis of Hollow Silica Nanoparticles Using Layered Double Hydroxide Templates and Application for Thermal Insulation Coating.

The innovative hollow silica nanoparticle (HSN) material possesses substantial potential for application in the insulation field. The size and shell thickness of HSN are crucial factors in determining their inherent properties, which, in turn, impact their applicability. This research presents a facile approach to synthesizing HSN in which sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) was utilized as the silica precursor that can be directly deposited onto layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles without the utilization of any surfactant. A subsequent acid treatment was used to eliminate the templates, resulting in the formation of an HSN devoid of mesopores in silica shells. By utilizing various sizes of LDH cores, obtainable via coprecipitation followed by hydrothermal treatment, we were capable of successfully synthesizing the hollow particles with adjustable diameters ranging from 50 to 200 nm. In addition, the shell thickness is varied from 6.8 to 22.5 nm by varying the silicate solution concentration. Results demonstrate that prepared HSNs have low thermal conductivity and high reflectance in the UV-vis-NIR range (averaging 82.1%). These findings suggest that HSN can be utilized as an effective inorganic filler in the formulation of reflective and thermally insulating coatings.

Study of synergistic effects induced by novel base composites on heavy metals removal and pathogen inactivation

The green-collar strategies for nanomaterial synthesis with novel structural competencies have received significant attention in nanotechnology owing to their potential benefits. The utilization of silica nanoparticles for wastewater treatment through heavy metal ions remediation is the focal point of the present study. With this intent, silica was extracted from bagasse ash by the sol-gel method and modified using chitosan. Chemical and physical characteristics of silica(S), silica/Chitosan (SCs), were reckoned through X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and the efficiency of synthesized biomaterials for removing heavy metal ions. Cadmium and Lead from wastewater was evaluated by conducting closed batch experiments. Isotherm and kinetics models were applied to understand the adsorption mechanism. Results of heavy metal ions removal showed that the S possesses the highest removal efficiency of 88% for cadmium. Equilibrium was established within 56 min following a Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo-second-order reaction. The synthesized biomaterials were also tested against the fungal (Aspergillus Niger) and bacterial strains (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) to determine their antimicrobial properties Maximum inhibition of 26 mm was shown by SCs for E.coli. Synthesized samples were not so effective for A.niger. The high adsorption potential of silica nanoparticles reveals their potential to treat wastewater containing inorganic pollutants like calcium and lead released from the sugar industry firsthand, thereby building a circular economy by controlling the pollution from source to sink. The synthesized silica nanoparticles and silica/chitosan biomaterials demonstrated high adsorption potential for heavy metal ions, making them promising candidates for integration into Algal Membrane Bioreactors to enhance wastewater treatment efficiency and remove toxic pollutants. Their multifunctional properties, including antimicrobial activity, also offer potential for improving microbial control within AMBRs, ensuring a more effective and sustainable wastewater treatment process.

Characterization of Silica Nanoparticles from Pumice as an Aerogel Adsorbent

Pumice is often found around the banks of rivers, this stone is a type of igneous rock formed from volcanic eruptions. One of the compounds contained in pumice is silica. Therefore, the synthesis of silica nanoparticles from pumice using the sol gel method was used because it is simpler and more efficient in terms of cost and processing time. the initial step was by reacting pumice powder and NaOH at 70°C - 80°C then synthesized by adding 2M HCI to form a gel or white precipitate, soaking in ethanol, teos, hexane solutions was then synthesized to become an aerogel. Silica synthesis results into silica aerogels were characterized by FTIR and XRF. From FTIR silanol and siloxane functional groups were found, and the SiO2 composition increased to 93,299% after synthesis.

Functionalized mesoporous silica for drug delivery of poorly soluble polyphenols: Synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial action

The synthesis of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) and their functionalization have gained significant attention in various biomedical fields. MSNs are nanoscale particles composed of silica with ordered pore structures and high surface areas, which make them excellent candidates for a wide range of applications, including drug delivery, imaging, biosensing, and tissue engineering. The focus of the present study is to explore the role of 12-tungstophosphoric acid (TPA) functionalized nMCM-48 for drug delivery of two weakly soluble polyphenols; curcumin, and quercetin, for effective antimicrobial action. Quercetin (Q) and curcumin (C) are simultaneously encapsulated in TPA-functionalized nMCM-48 to achieve C-TPA/nMCM-48 and Q-TPA/nMCM-48, nanocomposites respectively. The TPA functionalized nMCM-48 exhibited high pore volume, pore diameter and high surface area, the primary requirements for effective drug loading and release. The nanocomposite were characterized using several analytical methods, including FESEM, EDX, BET, XRD and FTIR. The FESEM analysis, demonstrating retainment of uniform spherical shape of the particles and homogeneous dispersion of drugs C or Q, in Q-TPA/nMCM-48 and C-TPA/nMCM-48. The EDX gives the confirmation of drug-loaded carriers, C-TPA/nMCM-48 and Q-TPA/nMCM-48 validates the presence of all elements indicating the successful loading of both C and Q. The high drug loading content 84% and 86% in the case of C and Q over C-TPA/nMCM-48 and Q-TPA/nMCM-48, respectively, was observed due to the high porosity of the material. In-vitro drug release studies for C-TPA/nMCM-48 and Q-TPA/nMCM-48 were carried out at physiological temperatures and different pH conditions. The percentage of drug release observed in case of C-TPA/nMCM-48 was 69% and for Q-TPA/nMCM-48 was 67%. The antimicrobial efficacy of nano systems was studied by bacterial growth curve analysis, zone of inhibition, MIC studies, and morphological analysis of cells. The nanocomposites exhibited enhanced antimicrobial efficiency due to the synergistic effect of a polyphenol drug molecule (C or Q) and TPA in nMCM-48 matrices. The bacterial growth curve was significantly affected and a prominent growth inhibition of microbes was observed in the presence of drug loaded samples C-TPA/nMCM-48, Q-TPA/nMCM-48. The antimicrobial efficiency of C-TPA/nMCM-48, Q-TPA/nMCM-48 was carried out against E.coli and the minimum inhibition concentration values were 25 μg/mL and 25 μg/mL, respectively. The zone of inhibition for C-TPA/nMCM-48 was detected as 1.5 ± 0.2 mm and for Q-TPA/nMCM-48 as 1.3 ± 0.3 mm against E.coli. The intricate interactions between drugs and TPA within nMCM-48 is a key facet that controls the properties of nanocomposite as a drug delivery system.

Advancing Photodynamic Therapy Efficiency on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells through Silica Nanoparticles-Safranin Encapsulation: In-Vitro Evaluation

Efficient drug delivery to target tissue is a major challenge in many cancer treatment modalities. Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) have been identified as an ideal drug carrier due to their unique properties. In Photodynamic therapy (PDT), one of the key challenges in utilizing photosensitizers (PS) lies in effectively delivering the PS to the targeted tissue. Using Silica nanoparticles encapsulation will effectively prevent the leakage of entrapped PS from the particles, protects against reduction by the retinal endothelial system, and reduces PS toxicity. In this study, Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) were used as carriers for Safranin (SF) as a photosensitizer agent to treat MCF-7 breast cancer cells in vitro. The SiNPs nanoparticles were synthesized, and their size and shape were measured using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Cytotoxicity was evaluated for different concentrations of encapsulated and naked SF. The optimal concentrations and exposure times required to eliminate the MCF-7 under light (Intensity ~110 mW/cm2, red laser) were determined. The results indicated that encapsulated SF by SiNPs exhibited higher efficacy than naked SF with a +50% concentration efficacy and +78% exposure time efficacy. This confirmed the superior ability of encapsulated SF to eliminate MCF-7 cells compared to naked SF. The use of synthesized silica nanoparticles loaded with SF improved photodynamic therapy by increasing the bioavailability of SF in the target cells. Our results demonstrate that SiNP encapsulation significantly improves the efficacy of SF in eliminating MCF-7 cells compared to bare SF. This study underscores the potential of SiNPs as a drug delivery system for photodynamic therapy and could pave the way for developing more effective cancer treatments.

Incorporation of metal organic framework into mesoporous silica nanoparticles with high contents

The integration of mesoporous silica materials (MSMs) and metal organic frameworks (MOFs) has garnered significant attention. To date, various strategies have been developed to synthesize MSM-MOF composites. However, it is challenging to synthesize MSM-MOF with high MOF contents (e.g., metal to silica molar ratio above 0.4) and well maintained mesopores. Here, we report a metal oxide conversion strategy for the synthesis of dendritic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (DMSNs)-MOF nanocomposites with a high MOF content, using zinc-based MOFs as examples. By adjusting the amount of zinc salts and the reaction time, DMSN-ZIF-8 can be prepared with a zinc to silicon molar ratio up to 0.4-0.8:1, and the mesopores can be reserved at the zinc to silicon ratio of 0.4. This strategy can be further applied to synthesize DMSN-ZIF-90 nanocomposites. This work has provided a robust strategy for the synthesis of MSM-MOF composites with adjustable compositions and nanostructures.

EFFECT OF AMMONIA-ETHANOL MOLE RATIO ON THE SILICA NANOPARTICLES SYNTHESIZED FOR RHODAMINE B DYES ADSORPTION

Various ammonia-ethanol mole ratios were successfully used for the synthesis of silica nanoparticles for rhodamine B adsorption. This study aims to determine the characteristics of the adsorbent at different ammonia-ethanol mole ratios, maximum adsorption at pH, and contact time. Several steps, including extraction of Na2SiO3 from rice husk ash, synthesis of adsorbents with ammonia-ethanol mole ratios (14:1, 21:1, 28:1, and 42:1), and their characterization. The parameters studied in the adsorbent include the functional groups, particle size, maximum pH, and rate constant adsorption. The FTIR results showed that all adsorbents had functional groups, indicating the presence of silica. The results suggest that the optimum mole ratio of NS 14:1 particles has a size of 39.82 nm. The optimum adsorption of rhodamine B by NS 14:1 occurred at a pH 3 of 0.00419 mmol.g-1 and a contact time of 40 min. The rate constant of adsorption by NS 14:1 was 102.42 g.mmol-1.min-1 followed a pseudo-second order kinetic model.

Size‐controlled synthesis of mesoporous silica nanoparticles using rice husk by microwave‐assisted sol–gel method

AbstractMesoporous silica nanoparticles with distinct characteristics like particle size, tunable pores, and high surface area have received much interest for environmental remediation, energy conversion, and biological applications. In this work, we synthesized spherical silica nanoparticles with tunable particle size and mesoporous properties using a low‐cost silica source (rice husk) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) via microwave‐assisted sol–gel synthesis. The formation of an amorphous silica structure was found using XRD and FTIR analysis. FESEM analysis showed that altering the PEG concentration from .01 to .005 M produced spherical silica nanoparticles with 100–500 nm in size. Nitrogen adsorption–desorption demonstrated that silica nanoparticles obtained with .005, .007, and .01 M of PEG had unique pore sizes and distributions, with specific surface areas of 51.475, 62.367, and 84.251 m2/g, respectively. These results might be due to PEG molecules’ capping effect, which acts as a soft template to regulate particle size, pore size, and dispersion by interacting with sodium silicate precursor. Hence, this approach can be a facile and cost‐effective method to prepare mesoporous silica nanoparticles with controllable nanoscale characteristics for suitable applications.

Synthesis and Characterization of Silica, Silver-Silica, and Zinc Oxide-Silica Nanoparticles for Evaluation of Blood Biochemistry, Oxidative Stress, and Hepatotoxicity in Albino Rats.

Evaluation of nanoparticles (NPs) for biomedical applications has received a lot of attention for detailed study on pharmacokinetics prior to clinical application. In this study, pure C-SiO2 (crystalline silica) NPs and SiO2 nanocomposites with silver (Ag) and zinc oxide (ZnO) were prepared by utilizing different synthesis routes such as sol-gel and co-precipitation techniques. The prepared NPs showed highly crystalline nature as confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis where average crystallite sizes of 35, 16, and 57 nm for C-SiO2, Ag-SiO2, and ZnO-SiO2 NPs, respectively, were calculated. Fourier transform infrared analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups related to the chemicals and procedures used for sample preparation. Due to agglomeration of the prepared NPs, the scanning electron microscope images showed large particle sizes when compared to their crystalline sizes. The optical properties of the prepared NPs such as absorption were obtained with UV-Vis spectroscopy. For in vivo biological evaluation, albino rats, both male and female, kept in different groups were exposed to NPs with 500 μg/kg dose. Hematological, serum biochemistry, histo-architecture, oxidative stress biomarkers, and antioxidant parameters in liver tissues along with various biomarkers for the evaluation of erythrocytes were estimated. The results on hemato-biochemistry, histopathological ailments, and oxidative stress parameters exhibited 95% alteration in the liver and erythrocytes of C-SiO2 NPs-treated rats while 75 and 60% alteration in the liver tissues of rats due to exposure to Ag-SiO2 and ZnO-SiO2 NPs, respectively, when compared with the albino rats of the control (untreated) group. Therefore, the current study showed that the prepared NPs had adverse effects on the liver and erythrocytes causing hepatotoxicity in the albino rats in respective order C-SiO2 > Ag SiO2 > ZnO-SiO2. As the C-SiO2 NPs appeared to be the most toxic, it has been concluded that coating SiO2 on Ag and ZnO reduced their toxicological impact on albino rats. Consequently, it is suggested that Ag-SiO2 and ZnO-SiO2 NPs are more biocompatible than C-SiO2 NPs.

Synthesis of mesoporous silica nanoparticles linked by molecularly imprinted polymers and examination of their ability to remove uremic toxins

Synthesis of mesoporous silica nanoparticles linked by molecularly imprinted polymers and examination of their ability to remove uremic toxins

Structure-Directing Effect on Silica Nanoparticle Growth in Sodium Silicate Solutions through Small-Angle X-ray Scattering

Understanding the effect of the microstructure of a sodium silicate solution on the growth behavior of silica nanoparticles is necessary for the preparation of functional silica. The structural evolution of silica aggregates in sodium silicate solutions was studied by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The sodium silicate solution mainly contained three types of particles: monomers with a radius of gyration (Rg) of <0.6 nm, SiO2 clusters formed by monomer polymerization, and large colloidal particles. Notably, primary particles with different structures in sodium silicate solutions exhibited a structure-directing effect for silica nanoparticles formation. Assembly growth occurs through the continuous addition of primary particles to the surface. For SiO2/Na2O < 4.2, the primary particles are ellipsoidal, and there are more hydroxyl groups grafted on both ends of the ellipsoid, so the condensation reaction is more likely to occur at both ends, eventually the ellipsoidal aggregates are formed. For SiO2/Na2O > 4.2, condensation reactions occur at equal rates in all directions, resulting in the formation of spheroid aggregates. Additionally, for SiO2/Na2O > 4.2, the primary particles maintain the fractal structure and are not easily destroyed during the carbonization reaction, so the aggregates formed by primary particles have relatively denser fractal structure than SiO2/Na2O < 4.2. Moreover, an understanding of the sodium silicate structure and different structural regulation mechanisms for silica nanoparticles synthesis provided an important theoretical foundation for fabricating high-performance silica.

A kinetic approach to the mechanism of formation of mesoporous silica nanoparticles

The synthesis of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), widely investigated for application in nanomedicine, depends on many experimental factors and lacks reproducibility. Furthermore, its mechanism is not fully understood, in particular for the chemistry of the hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). We coupled simple pH measurements with light diffusion monitoring directly within the reaction vessel in order to understand the early stages of the synthesis until the formation of nanoparticles. We found that two regimes of hydrolysis can be detected before the nanoparticles are formed. At the turning point, only 28% of the TEOS molecules are singly hydrolyzed and the condensation reaction only starts after the aggregation of the silicate-surfactant micelles. Experimental factors such as stirring strength or presence of carbonates of sodium hydroxide exert a strong influence on the kinetics of MSNs formation and on their size, and must be carefully controlled for reproducibility. Based on all our experimental evidence and on previous literature reports, a formation mechanism was proposed in order to highlight the importance of the interplay between chemical and physicochemical processes in such a complex system.

Synthesis of core-shell fluorescent silica nanoparticles with opposite surface charges for transport studies of nanofluids in porous media

Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) have been extensively studied as additives in injected fluids for enhanced oil recovery. Typically, surfactants are used to increase colloidal stability, but little is known about the transport of SiNPs in porous media because of the scarcity of reliable quantification techniques. In this study, we investigated the use of core-shell silica-based fluorescent SiNPs as tracers for transport studies of nanofluids containing surfactants. Two synthetic strategies were used to obtain distinct structures of fluorescent SiNPs with similar cores but different surface groups, namely silanol and aminopropyl, comparable to those reported in nanofluid applications. The synthesised NPs had comparable sizes and morphologies but displayed opposite surface charges when dispersed in aqueous solutions. The main colloidal properties and time stability of the fluorescence response were determined in the presence of an anionic surfactant and compared with regard to their potential use as tracers for transport studies. Both fluorescent SiNPs were successfully quantified in the effluent after flowing through the glass bead column. The SiNP-containing aminopropyl surface groups showed the greatest stability and lowest adsorption compared with those grafted with silanol groups. We attribute this behaviour to the effect of stronger attractive interactions between the NPs and surfactants. The potential of these fluorescent NPs as sensitive tracers for transport and adsorption studies in nanofluids containing surfactants was demonstrated.

Bifunctional Polymer Brush Reactor for In Situ Synthesis of Hollow Silica-Supported Gold Nanocatalysts.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on carriers have received wide attention as catalysts as a result of their excellent stability and catalytic performance. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of hollow silica-supported gold nanocatalysts (SNPs@AuNPs) composed of highly dispersed AuNPs with approximately 4.30 nm using an in situ colloidal polyelectrolyte template strategy. The monodisperse polystyrene nanospheres accompanied by poly[(2-methacryloyloxyethyl)trimethylammonium chloride] brushes were first synthesized. Subsequently, the facile polymer-brush-engaged strategy for the synthesis of hollow SNPs@AuNPs involves in situ reduction of AuNPs, hydrolytic condensation of silica, and a chemical etching process. In combination with dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering, X-ray powder diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the as-obtained polymer brushes were proven as effective versatile nanoreactors for the synthesis of AuNPs and silica nanoparticles without any catalysts. Benefiting from the structural advantages, the resultant hollow SNPs@AuNPs manifested superior catalytic activity and reusability for the reduction of p-nitrophenol by sodium borohydride in aqueous solution. With a delicate design, we believe that this synthetic strategy can be extended to fabricate multifunctional nanomaterials with diverse compositions, which would be of great interest in catalysis, energy, and many other important domains.

Glutathione/Glucose-Depleting Nanoparticles with NO Generation for Ferroptosis/Starvation/NO-Induced Cancer Therapy

Depleting intracellular glutathione (GSH) has emerged as a potent strategy to combat cancer. However, the existing GSH-depleting agents are too toxic or ineffective and standalone GSH depletion fails to yield a satisfactory curative effect. Herein, we present an intelligent nanoparticle that possesses GSH depletion, glucose consumption accompanied with H2O2 production, and NO generation properties for multimodal cancer therapy. The nanoparticle is constructed by synthesis of tetrasulfide bond-doped mesoporous silica nanoparticles followed by conjugating glucose oxidase (GOx) on the surface and loading l-arginine (l-Arg) into the mesopores. In this nanoparticle, the doped tetrasulfide bonds can quickly deplete GSH, which increases the cellular reactive oxygen species concentration to induce ferroptosis and meanwhile triggers particle biodegradation to expose the loaded l-Arg. Moreover, the elevated H2O2 level activates l-Arg to release NO for NO therapy. GOx consumes glucose to initiate starvation therapy and simultaneously produces a large amount of H2O2. Importantly, the produced H2O2 can not only potentiate ferroptosis but also promote NO release to enhance NO therapy. Besides, NO could in turn improve the efficacy of starvation therapy by damaging the mitochondria to block energy supply. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate that the nanoparticles show a great synergistic effect of ferroptosis/starvation/NO therapy, which can significantly kill cancer cells and remarkably inhibit tumor growth without obvious side effects. Therefore, we think that the designed nanoparticles may provide a promising paradigm for synergistic cancer therapy and hold a prospect in clinical trials.

A Novel Approach for Enhanced Osteosarcoma Photodynamic Therapy Using Encapsulated Methylene Blue in Silica Nanoparticles

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a cutting-edge cancer treatment that utilizes both light and photosensitizers (PSs) to attack cancer cells. Methylene blue (MB) has emerged as a highly promising photosensitizer (PS) in PDT therapy due to its exceptional ability to produce singlet oxygen, which is attributed to its high quantum yield. However, the main challenge in utilizing MB in photodynamic therapy is its effective delivery to the target tissue. This challenge can be addressed by utilizing silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) as a drug delivery agent. Silica nanoparticles encapsulate MB and prevent its leakage, offering a novel approach to improving PDT therapy by reducing the toxicity of MB and increasing its bioavailability at the target cell. In this study, an extensive analysis of the size and shape evolution of the synthesized silica nanoparticles loaded with MB was conducted using TEM. Various encapsulated and bare MB concentrations were tested for cytotoxicity against osteosarcoma cells. Moreover, the optimal concentration and exposure time under light (with an intensity of approximately 8.9 mW/cm2 in the visible range) were determined to achieve maximum cell elimination. The results revealed that encapsulated MB in SiNPs exhibited a higher efficacy compared to naked MB, with a 50% increase in concentration effectiveness and a 90% increase in exposure time efficacy. This confirms that encapsulated MB in SiNPs is more effective in killing osteosarcoma cells than bare MB, thereby enhancing photodynamic therapy through increased bioavailability of MB in target cells. The enhanced bioavailability of MB in target cells as a result of its encapsulation in SiNPs makes it a highly promising drug delivery candidate for significantly enhancing the efficacy of photodynamic therapy against osteosarcomas.

Influence of chemical and bio-surfactants on physiochemical properties in mesoporous silica nanoparticles synthesis

The present study pointedly investigates the synthesis of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (sol–gel method) using four different surfactants (biosurfactants, CTAB, SDS and tween-80) under mild condition, was characterized by XRD (Low and wide angle), FTIR, FESEM, HRTEM, UV-VIS-NIR and XPS. The amorphous character of mesoporous silica (22.77O and 21.69O; XRD), hexagonal array with long-range ordered mesopores (SAXS), highest percentage of purity (47.9 and 56.09%; HRTEM-EDXS), perfect spherical shape with particle size (162 and 286 nm; FESEM), significant linkage of Si–O–Si (XPS) and absorption wavelength (271 and 262 nm; UV-VIS-NIR) affirmed with interesting outcomes in case of tween-80 and biosurfactant respectively, as compare to CTAB and SDS-mediated silica nanoparticles. In addition, the band gap of biosurfactant (5.29eV) and Tween-80 (3.78eV) mediated nanoparticles was also remarked lower as compare to other two surfactants as-synthesized nanoparticles. The promising formed silica nanoparticles could be greatly recommended to execute in heavy metals treatment, dye removal, anticancer activity, antioxidant activity, drug delivery, energy storage, etc.

Synthesis of Monodispersed Hollow Mesoporous Organosilica and Silica Nanoparticles with Controllable Shell Thickness Using Soft and Hard Templates

Hollow mesoporous nanoparticles with controllable size (less than 100 nm) are desired as drug-delivery carriers. Herein, we report the synthesis of monodispersed hollow mesoporous organosilica (HMOS) and hollow mesoporous silica (HMS) nanoparticles using soft and hard templating methods. HMOS shells, with 1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane (BTEE) as the precursor and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as the soft templates, were formed on monodispersed silica nanoparticles (SNPs), which were used as the hard templates. HMOS and HMS nanoparticles were obtained by removing the SNPs after three rounds of ammonia dialysis. The hollow size of HMOS can be tuned by changing the size of the SNPs. By using SNPs with a size of 36.5 nm, hollow spaces of approximately 20 nm connected the surface through narrow pores (<5 nm). Mesopores of approximately 12 nm were formed by the surfactant micelles. Additionally, the interparticle space in HMOS and HMS was approximately 12 nm. The shell thicknesses of HMOS and HMS could be tuned in the range of 5-9 nm by changing the BTEE amount. Moreover, the amount of surfactant used varied the porous structure. The HMOS with a thickness of 5 nm exhibited a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of 268 m2/g and a total pore volume of 1.14 cm3/g. Meanwhile, HMS demonstrated a BET surface area of 553 m2/g and a total pore volume of 1.82 cm3/g while maintaining a hollow structure. HMOS displayed a high loading capacity for ibuprofen (3009 mg/g), and its drug release system showed a sustained-release property. Therefore, the HMOS preparation using hard and soft templates proposed herein can control the hollow size and shell thickness for drug-delivery applications.

Synthesis and Evaluation of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle and its Application in Chemical Enhanced oil Recovery

AbstractA significant quantity of hydrocarbons remains in the reservoir after production using primary and secondary techniques. Traditional recovery techniques produce about 33 % of the original oil in place. However, the utilization of chemicals such as surfactants and polymers facilitate the additional recovery of one‐third of this oil. Researchers are currently aiming at mixing surfactant and nanoparticles for their potential applications in petroleum industry. In this work, authors claimed to be the first to study usage of synthesized Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles (MSN) with Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS) surfactant to understand its applicability in Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery through evaluation of the surface tension &amp; Interfacial tension, surfactant adsorption, contact angle, and core flooding experiments. Surface tension studies revealed a synergistic interaction between MSN and anionic surfactant molecules. With the introduction of 2500 ppm of anionic surfactant, the surface tension of deionized water reduces to 34.5 mN/m from 72.4 mN/m. The surface tension of the mixture was further lowered by ∼9.8 % with the addition of 300 ppm MSN. The Interfacial Tension results also showed the same trend. When 300 ppm of MSN was introduced, then IFT values decreases from 8.13 mN/m to 3.91 mN/m at 2500 ppm of anionic surfactant. Contact angle measurements after MSN injection went from 77.98° for SDS (2500 ppm) to 73.36°, 66.54°, and 41.95° for 100, 200, and 300 ppm of MSN, respectively. This demonstrates that the shift toward water‐wet behavior increased along with the MSN concentration. Additionally, adding 300 ppm of MSN lowered surfactant adsorption by ∼80 % at a surfactant concentration of 2500 ppm. Up to 72.27 % of the OOIP could be recovered using the chemical slug made of SDS surfactant, polymer, and MSN. The research data suggests that the MSN can increase the effectiveness of the chemical injection approach, which can be used to recover more oil.

Simultaneous Microfluidic Synthesis of Multi-Sized Silica Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications

Simultaneous Microfluidic Synthesis of Multi-Sized Silica Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications