Novel pathway for the synthesis of monodisperse MCM-41 nanospheres with different particle size distributions

In our study, we proposed a one-pot manner to synthesize MCM-41 samples with different particle size distributions. Polyvinyl alcohol was used as dispersant to synthesize monodisperse MCM-41 nanospheres. Two samples were obtained through two-stage centrifugation. The particle sizes of these two samples were 100–300 nm via centrifugation at 12,000 rpm and 400–700 nm via centrifugation at 4200 rpm, respectively. The synthetic materials were perfectly spherical in shape and can disperse in water stably for a long time. Furthermore, the polydispersity indexes (PDI) of 12,000-PVA–MCM-41 and 4200-PVA–MCM-41 are 0.0073 and 0.255, respectively, which are much smaller than that of the sample prepared without PVA. No matter what the size is, the samples maintain higher specific surface area more than 1100 m2/g and large pore size over 2.0 nm.

Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► We brought PVA into the preparation of monodisperse MCM-41 samples and proposed the mechanism. ► We got two samples with different particle size distributions through two-stage centrifugation. ► The prepared samples are perfectly spherical and can disperse in water stably for a long time. ► This manner is simple and time-saving.