Preparation of uniform Au@SiO2 particles by direct silica coating on citrate-capped Au nanoparticles

Preparation of Au@SiO₂ particles by direct silica coating on three different sized citrate-capped Au nanoparticles (17, 25 and 33 nm) with Stöber method was investigated in this work. It was found that the uniformity of the resulting Au@SiO₂ particles was related to both the sizes of the Au nanoparticles and the concentration of citrate during the particle synthesis. When the citrate concentration during the particle synthesis was low, the 25 and 33 nm Au nanoparticles could be well dispersed in the Stöber system, thus resulting the formation of uniform Au@SiO₂ particles containing single core. However, small Au nanoparticles (17 nm) were identified to show poor stability in the Stöber system even under low citrate concentration, the silica coating must be performed in a pre-hydrolyzed Stöber system to get the uniform Au@SiO₂ particles. This approach was also applicable to citrate capped Ag nanoparticles. After removal of the excess citrate in the Ag prepared by citrate reduction, uniform Ag/SiO₂ particles containing single core colloids could also be prepared by the direct silica coating.     

Kinetics of supramolecular crystallization of concentrated suspensions of monodisperse spherical silica particles

The kinetics of supramolecular crystallization of concentrated suspensions is three-dimensional and follows the Avrami-Erofeev equation: A=1-exp[-(kt)^m], where m=4. The rate constant k is proportional to the probability of the appearance of a crystallization center in unit volume in unit time and the linear crystal growth rate, which is determined experimentally.     

Colloidal characterization of micron-sized rod-like magnetite particles

Rod-like magnetite particles have been prepared following a precipitation procedure in the presence of an external magnetic field. These particles have been characterized and results compared to those obtained for spheres which were synthesized following the same recipe but in the absence of a magnetic field. Both spheres and rod-like particles have a saturation magnetization of 475 kA/m, an isoelectric point at approximately pH 6.6, and a magnetite inverse spinel structure. DLVO theory qualitatively predicts the results obtained regarding the stability of the magnetite dispersions.     

Polyacrylate/silica nanocomposite materials prepared by sol-gel process

Polyacrylate/silica nanocomposite was prepared by sol-gel process via in situ emulsion polymerization. The influence of the synthetic conditions, such as the ratio of different monomers and the contents of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (Z-6030), diethanolamine (DAM) and ammonium persulfate (APS) on the physical mechanical properties of polyacrylate/silica nanocomposite was investigated in details. Dynamics Laser Scattering (DLS) indicated that the average diameter of the polyacrylate/silica latex particles (177 nm) was bigger than that of the pure polyacrylate latex particles (105.3 nm), but the ζ potential of polyacrylate/silica was decreased respectively in contrast to that of the polyacrylate. Differential Scanning Calorimeters (DSC) analysis confirmed that the glass transition temperature of polyacrylate/nano-SiO₂ (T_g = −24 °C) was higher than that of polyacrylate (T_g = −36 °C). UV analysis showed that the UV absorbency of polyacrylate/silica was improved evidently in contrast to that of polyacrylate.     

Mechanism of the growth of monodispersed spherical silica particles to the submicron size

Summary Monodispersed spherical submicron silica particles were obtained by the precipitation of soluble silica on the surface of preliminary obtained smaller particles. Silica was added into the system at low concentrations to prevent both its polymerization in the solution and the formation of new particles. The kinetics of the particle growth is controlled by the diffusion of soluble silica through the double diffusion layer.     

Electrorheological and magnetorheological response of polypyrrole/magnetite nanocomposite particles

Magnetic nanoparticles of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) were synthesized within a conducting polypyrrole (PPY) matrix using a facile method, and employed as both electrorheological (ER) and magnetorheological (MR) materials to provide a well dispersed suspension of either ER or MR fluids. The PPY to Fe₃O₄ weight ratio was adjusted to 5 % to avoid possible deterioration of the magnetic properties of the Fe₃O₄ particles. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction provided information on the structure and particle size of the PPY/Fe₃O₄. Both ER and MR performance of pure Fe₃O₄ and PPY/Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites were examined through rotational and oscillatory tests using a rotational rheometer under an applied electric and magnetic field, respectively, demonstrating typical ER and MR characteristics.     

Synthesis of spherical silica particles by sol‐gel method and application

Spherical silica particles were synthesized using the sol‐gel method by hydrolyzing tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) with an alkali catalyst, and it was investigated how the experimental conditions (the reaction temperature, the concentration and dropping rate of the hydrolysis catalyst solution) affected the size and morphology of silica particles. Furthermore, the silica particles were doped with sodium fluoride to measure their ion release ability. The mean diameters of the silica particles changed according to the reaction temperature and the dropping rate of the hydrolysis catalyst, namely the higher the reaction temperature or the slower the dropping rate the smaller are the mean diameters. The surface area of the silica particles was significantly different depending on the dropping rate of the hydrolysis catalyst, namely the slower the dropping rate the larger the specific surface area. The specific heat capacity and thermal reduction (TG) of the silica particles were significantly different according to the reaction temperature, namely the higher the reaction temperature the lower the specific heat capacity and the TG. It was found that the fluoride‐retaining ability was proportional to the surface area of silica particles. The fluoride ion release was equilibrated on elapsing 5 min. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Light scattering based analyses of the effects of bovine serum proteins on interactions of magnetite spherical particles with cells

Cellular uptake of magnetite spherical particles (MSPs) were increased with incubation time and were decreased in the presence of medium serum proteins. Results also showed the cell internalized MSPs induced the cellular autophagosome accumulation.     

Size control of polystyrene nodules formed on silica particles in soap-free emulsion polymerization with amphoteric initiator

An amphoteric initiator of 2,2′-azobis[N-(2-carboxyethyl)-2-2-methylpropionamidine] (VA-057) was applied to fabrication of raspberry-shaped composite particles in soap-free emulsion polymerization of styrene in the presence of silica particles surface-modified with 3-methacryoxypropyltrimethoxysilane. In the polymerizations, pH of the solution was ranged from 7.9 to 9.9 to alter dissociation degree of ionizable groups in the initiator. Raspberry-shaped particles were obtained in a pH range of 8.0 to 9.3 followed by a tendency in which average size of polystyrene (PSt) nodules adsorbed onto the silica particles decreased with pH. This tendency was similar to that of polymer particles formed in conventional soap-free emulsion polymerization in the absence of the silica particles. An increase in silica particle concentration led to a decrease in the final size in PSt nodules. The decrease was caused by the stabilization of polymer particles fixed to the silica surface against polymer particle aggregation in water phase.     

Polypyrrole/silica/magnetite nanoparticles as a sorbent for the extraction of sulfonamides from water samples

A magnetic solid‐phase extraction sorbent of polypyrrole/silica/magnetite nanoparticles was successfully synthesized and applied for the extraction and preconcentration of sulfonamides in water samples. The magnetite nanoparticles provided a simple and fast separation method for the analytes in water samples. The silica coating increased the surface area that helped to increase the polypyrrole layer. The polypyrrole‐coated silica provided a high extraction efficiency due to the π–π and hydrophobic interactions between the polypyrrole and sulfonamides. Several parameters that affected the extraction efficiencies, i.e. the amount of sorbent, pH of the sample, extraction time, extraction temperature, ionic strength, and desorption conditions were investigated. Under the optimal conditions, the method was linear over the range of 0.30–200 μg/L for sulfadiazine and sulfamerazine, and 1.0–200 μg/L for sulfamethazine and sulfamonomethoxine. The limit of detection was 0.30 μg/L for sulfadiazine and sulfamerazine and 1.0 μg/L for sulfamethazine and sulfamonomethoxine. This simple and rapid method was successfully applied to efficiently extract sulfonamides from water samples. It showed a high extraction efficiency for all tested sulfonamides, and the recoveries were in the range of 86.7–99.7% with relative standard deviations of < 6%.     

One-step continuous flow synthesis of aminopropyl silica-coated magnetite nanoparticles

One-step continuous flow synthesis was developed and applied for the preparation of amino propyl silica-coated nanoparticles (APSMNPs). This was accomplished in one step through continuous flow synthesis and amino propyl silica coating. Magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) are generated in situ using a continuous flow synthesis system before being coated with amino propyl silica using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) condensation process and 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) condensation process in different ratios. The effect of the molar ratio of TEOS to APTES on the structure and physicochemical properties of the corresponding APSMNPs was examined by N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherm, transmission electron microscope (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscope energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX). This continuous flow process has advantages such as easy scalability, convenient production, easy control, an economical method with less time and reagents than traditional synthetic methods. It is a good choice for industrial production of APSMNPs.     

聚丙烯酸控制合成的聚合物/二氧化硅复合纳米球

以3-氨丙基三甲氧基硅烷(APMS)和正硅酸乙酯(TEOS)为硅源, 与阴离子聚合物聚丙烯酸(PAA)链之间通过S^-N⁺-I^-机理组装合成了聚丙烯酸-二氧化硅(PAA/SiO₂)复合纳米球. SEM, TEM, TG和FTIR表征结果表明, 合成的纳米球是聚丙烯酸和二氧化硅复合物, 平均直径约为80 nm. 在合成PAA/SiO₂复合纳米球的体系中, 加入不同量的有机溶剂THF能够调控复合球的尺度.     

Syntheses of spherical silica and titania from alkoxides on a laboratory scale

Summary A process to synthesize silica and titania as spherical packing materials has been investigated on the laboratory scale by the sol-gel method. The silica and titania obtained were tested under normal-phase separation conditions for comparison of their retention characteristics silica witha a commercial. The silica was found to be similar in its retention behaviour to the commercial silica. The titania showed basic properties and strongly retained acidic compounds.     

Thixotropic destruction and secondary cluster growth of supramolecular crystals in suspensions of monodisperse spherical silica particles

Supramolecular crystals (SC) which appear in concentrated suspensions of monodisperse spherical silica particles (MSSP) can be mechanically destroyed. This destruction occurs because the bonding of structural units (SU) in SC is weak and the interaction forces of SU become locally unbalanced. The SC are destroyed into microblocks with the initial SC structure. The nascent secondary suspension consists of these blocks (clusters). The secondary crystals grow from the clusters and when these clusters are large, the growth is of a dendritic character.     

Synthesis and characterization of magnetite nanoparticles for photocatalysis of nitrobenzene

The present work shows the photocatalytic degradation of nitrobenzene (NB) using Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) as a photocatalyst in the presence of UV light. The MNP were synthesized by an ultrasonic-assisted reverse co-precipitation (US-RP) method using FeSO₄, FeCl₃ and NH₄OH as precursors. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Dynamic light scattering (DLS), Zeta potential, Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and Magnetic thermogravimetric analysis (MTGA). The successive decrement in the absorbance at 265 nm shows the effective decrease in NB concentration measured by UV–vis spectroscopy. The reaction intermediates detected by gas chromatography/mass spectrum (GC/MS) were 2-nitrophenol (2-NPh), 3-nitrophenol (3-NPh) and 4-nitrophenol (4-NPh). The prepared MNP showed an optimal NB degradation at an initial pH of 2 and 100 ppm of the photocatalyst.     

Synthesis and lectin-binding activity of luminescent silica particles peripherally functionalized with lactose

A novel O-protected lactose (Galβ1→4Glcβ1-) derivative bearing trimethoxysilyl group at the aglycon was developed as a silane coupling agent. Reaction of the coupling agent with tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium (II) dichloride (Rubpy) doped silica particle gave a Rubpy-doped silica particle peripherally functionalized with O-protected lactose derivative. De-O-protection of the particle with aqueous ammonia provided lactose-coating Rubpy-doped silica particles, combining luminophor encapsulated in silica matrix and carbohydrate having lectin-recognition ability. Specific adhesion of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled peanut agglutinin (FITC-PNA) to the lactose-coating Rubpy-doped silica particles was confirmed by fluorescence microscopic analysis.     

Factors that may influence the micro-emulsion synthesis of nanosize magnetite particles

The influence of experimental conditions on the formation of nanosize magnetite by micro-emulsion method was investigated using Mössbauer and FT-IR spectroscopies, FE SEM/EDS and TEM. It was found that the concentration of starting chemicals (FeCl₃/FeSO₄), aeration/de-aeration, high alkalinity and γ-irradiation influenced this precipitation process. Rod-like goethite particles ～200–300 nm long and up to 10 nm wide were obtained by destabilization of the micro-emulsions aged 5 to 45 days at RT. Si-containing ferrihydrite was also formed and it retarded the formation of goethite by the dissolution/re-precipitation mechanism. A small amount of Si from a glass flask was dissolved. A very strong influence of γ-irradiation on the formation of nanosize magnetite by micro-emulsion method was observed. γ-irradiation created strong reductive conditions in the micro-emulsions. At an ～460 kGy dose, nanosize magnetite particles sized ～5 to 20 nm and very small amounts of goethite particles were obtained. The EDS measurements on the particles suggested the formation of sub-stoichiometric magnetite (Fe_3?x O₄) and not of maghemite. This finding is in line with the strong reductive conditions induced with γ-irradiation.     

The size and shape of silica particles

Negatively charged silica particles were investigated at pH 10.0. They were found to be rod-shaped (cylinder) with a diameter of 5–5.5 nm and a full length of 44–67 nm depending on the rod model used. Moreover, the particles were found to be stable against aggregation in the region 0.4–50 mM NaCl. Received: 2 December 1998 Accepted in revised form: 2 February 1999     

A new study on the kinetics of Stöber synthesis by in-situ liquid 29Si NMR

Liquid-state ²⁹Si NMR was used to investigate the hydrolysis and condensation kinetics of ammonia-catalyzed tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in methanol system. The reactive rate constants were calculated by applying first-order reaction approximation and the steady state approximation theory. The reaction orders with respect to TEOS, ammonia and water were derived, as well as the activation energies and the Arrhenius constants. It was found that the formation of intermediate species Si(OH)(OEt)₃ was the rate-limiting step and its reaction rate equation was r _TEOS=7.41×10⁻³[TEOS][NH₃]^0.333[H₂O]^0.227. Higher reactive temperature benefited the hydrolysis of TEOS. The results presented here indicated quantificationally that the formation of colloidal SiO₂ particles was controlled by the initial hydrolysis of TEOS.     

纳米木质素/二氧化硅基微胶囊的制备及在自愈合涂层中的应用

利用磷酸化改性木质素/二氧化硅复合纳米颗粒(PAL/SiO₂)作为壁材包埋活性组分异佛尔酮二异氰酸酯(IPDI)制备微胶囊(PAL/SiO₂-IPDI). 通过加入少量反应活性更高的聚合多甲基多二异氰酸酯(PMDI), 与水反应形成聚脲, 以增加微胶囊的壁厚. 采用光学显微镜、 扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和激光粒度分析仪(DLS)研究了PAL/SiO₂复合纳米粒子掺杂量, 水油比和剪切速率对微胶囊表面形貌、 粒径和壁厚的影响. 结果表明, 所制备的微胶囊呈现规整球形, 壁厚为2.36~3.50 μm, 平均粒径为40.3~201.5 μm. IPDI作为芯材包埋在微胶囊中, 芯材含量约为82.8%. 将制备的PAL/SiO₂-IPDI微胶囊添加到环氧树脂中得到自愈合环氧树脂涂层. 其在高盐浓度溶液中的抗侵蚀测试结果显示, 添加质量分数4%的PAL/SiO₂-IPDI微胶囊的环氧树脂涂层在划破后能够快速愈合, 显著降低基底的腐蚀电流和腐蚀速率. 纳米压痕实验表明, 环氧涂层的硬度为249.99 MPa, 而添加PAL/SiO₂-IPDI微胶囊后硬度增加到302.98 MPa, 弹性模量也有提高.