Fabrication of mesoporous spherical silica nanoparticles and effects of synthesis conditions on particle mesostructure

Despite the great progress in the field of mesoporous silica materials, there are few reports on mesoporous spherical silica nanoparticles (MSSNPs) synthesized by hydrolysis and co-condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and n-octadecyltrimethoxysilane (C18TMS). Here, we design a facile strategy for the synthesis of MSSNPs using C18TMS as a porogen, and TEOS as a silica precursor in a water–ethanol–ammonia system. Further, we investigate the effects of some synthesis conditions, including synthesis time, reaction temperature and molar ratio of EtOH/H2O on mesostructure. The obtained particles show tunable pore diameter, pore volume and surface area by changing synthesis conditions. Electron microscopy images show a particle size ranging from 100nm to 200nm. The N2 adsorption analysis indicates that the maximum Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area and Barrett–Joyner–Halanda pore volume up to 1164.9m2g−1 and 1.5cm3g−1 respectively, and a maximum pore diameter of 4.9nm. [Display omitted] •Mesoporous spherical silica nanoparticles were synthesized using template method.•Particles can be formed rapidly in 2h and reaction temperature lows to 30°C.•Increasing reaction temperature and EtOH/H2O ratio will decrease particle size.•Increasing reaction temperature will increase specific surface area and pore volume.•Pore diameter can be enlarged by decreasing molar ratio of EtOH/H2O and reaction temperature.