The silica core/shell nanostructures were prepared by a wet-chemical process.
Silica core particles were prepared by hydrolysis and condensation of
tetraethylorthosilicate. The obtained particles (average size ~0.4 ?m) were
used as templates for assembling of silica nanoparticles generated from
highly basic sodium silicate solution. The silica core particles were
functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) to allow
electrostatic assembling of silica nanoparticles on the surface of silica
core particles. In order to find the optimal conditions for synthesis of
silica core/shell particles with mesoporous shells, the effect of reaction
time on formation of silica nanoparticles was investigated. The effect of
process parameters on generation and aggregation of silica nanoparticles
prepared from highly basic sodium silicate solution was also investigated. It
was shown that the size of silica nanoparticles and tendency towards
aggregation increase with increasing the reaction time and temperature. These
behaviours were reflected on the formation of mesoporous silica shell around
silica core particles. Thin and uniform mesoporous silica layers were
obtained if reaction times were kept short. When the reaction time was
prolonged, the thicker and non-uniform shells were obtained.
Effect of reaction time on formation of silica core/shell particles
