The size-controllable synthesis of nanometer-sized mesoporous silica in extremely dilute surfactant solution

10–60 nm-sized mesoporous silica particles with ordered or worm-like pore structures were controllably synthesized in extremely dilute surfactant solution, and the lowest concentrations of TEOS and CTAB were 12.45 mM, 1.52 mM, respectively. The synthesis of nanometer-sized Al-incorporated mesoporous silica particles (Al-MS) was also performed under the similar conditions. Compared to the mesoporous silica without doping of aluminum, those Al-incorporated silica particles have a certain textural mesoporosity. The results indicate that the size and pore structure of mesoporous silica can be adjusted by changing the concentration of reactants. The mesoporous silica nanoparticles, including Al-MS, were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), small-angle X-ray diffraction (SAXRD), as well as nitrogen adsorption/desorption techniques. It was suggested that the formation of the mesoporous silica nanoparticles could be attributed to the deposition of self-assembled silicate micelles.