Surfactant-assisted synthesis of helical silica

Amorphous helical silica was synthesized at room temperature from tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) under the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in acidic conditions. The formation conditions of the silica helices were studied carefully. It was found that the reaction time and temperature, molar ratio of TEOS and CTAB and types of acids are crucial to the formation of helices.

Helical silica was prepared at room temperature in aqueous solution. The use of surfactant CTAB and HNO3 or HBr is crucial to the formation of helices.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide