One-pot hydrothermal synthesis of mesoporous silica nanoparticles using formaldehyde as growth suppressant

An effective one-pot hydrothermal synthesis method based on suppressed growth strategy was invented to produce mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs). In a TEOS–CTAB–NH4OH–water–formaldehyde system, formaldehyde was used as suppressant which formed a polymer shell on the outer surface of the MSNs to control the particle size to about 30 nm. A nanoporous carbon framework was obtained when precursor was carbonized in N2 followed by a HF leaching of the silica. The pore size of the carbon was about 30 nm. The mechanism for the synthesis process was described.

Graphical abstractOne-pot hydrothermal synthesis using formaldehyde as a suppressant based on suppressed growth strategy was invented to produce mesoporous silica nanoparticles.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► One-pot hydrothermal synthesis based on suppressed growth strategy was invented to produce mesoporous silica nanoparticles. ► Formaldehyde was used as a suppressant of the grain growth of the nanoparticles. ► The particle size of MSNs was well controlled at about 30 nm.