Synthesis and particle size control of spherical mesoporous silica particles

Abstract

Spherical mesoporous silica particles were successfully prepared upon hydrolysis of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) in presence of dodecylamine (DDA) as on organic template. Comparison of the products obtained by a other method and synthesis conditions were also studied. The product obtained by HMS method using DDA was more homogeneous and truly spherical as compared to that obtained by other method using dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The particle size could be modified by adjusting the molar ratio of DDA/TEOS and EtOH/TEOS of the solution, particle sizes ranging from 0.2 to 1.2 μm. The surface area of spherical mesoporous silica particles 1.23 μm in size was about 423 m2/g, their density was 1.4 g/cm3 and their pore mean diameter was 3.6 nm.