Fabrication of hollow silica particles using a self-assembled polyethylene granule as a template

Abstract

We developed a novel method preparing nonspherical hollow silica particles (HSP) using a micron-sized granule self-assembled from partially oxidized PE wax. The morphology of the granule was closely investigated in terms of concentration and acid value of PE wax and cooling rate. Due to the oxidized unit in PE wax, magnetic nanoparticle was incorporated into the granule during the self-assembly, and silica was coated on the granule surface via the self-assembly. Silica-coating condition was studied by varying water content and reaction time. After the PE wax was removed by calcination, nonspherical HSP or magnetic HSP was obtained. This cost-effective HSP is expected to be useful for practical applications.