Synthesis and Particle Size Control of Spherical Mesoporous Silica Particles

Spherical mesoporous silica particles were successfully prepared upon hydrolysis of tetraethylortosilicate (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 dodecyltrimethylamonium 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 1.2μm. The surface area of spherical mesoporous silica particles 1.23μm in size was about 423m2/g, their density was 1.4g/cm3 and their pore mean diameter was 3.6nm.