Skeletal silica nanoparticles prepared in reaction system with controlled polarity.

Abstract

Development of precise shape control technique of nanoparticles is necessary in various application fields. In his study, we report skeletal silica nanoparticles composed of twelve nanoframes and six square windows, through sol-gel reaction using cubic template whose surface is coated by surfactant. The shape controlling factors are (a) high acidity of silanol compared to that of surfactant, (b) low affinity between surfactant and organic medium, and (c) high surface energy of vertex and edge of the template, are associated to obtain such structures. These structures are expected to exhibit specific properties such as optical materials, drug carriers, heat insulation materials, catalyst supporters, etc.