Functionally modified core-shell silica nanoparticles by one-pot synthesis

In this work functionally modified silica nanoparticles were synthesized in base-catalyzed reaction of the elementary molecules: TEOS and vinyltriethoxysilane (VTEOS) using ethanol as the solvent. The main feature of the developed method is the addition of the modifier molecule, VTEOS, after appearance of the first primary particles in the reaction mixture. A core-shell structure was detected for the final particles having carbon-rich phase in the shell and silicon-rich phase in the core. The effect of TEOS/VTEOS molar ratio, solvent, reaction temperature and time was investigated on the particle size and morphology of the particles. The results showed that TEOS/VTEOS molar ratio of 90/10 and, reaction temperature of 40 °C using ethanol as the solvent yield the desired core-shell structure after 30 min of reaction time.