Influence of reaction parameters on size and shape of silica nanoparticles

It was investigated that the effect of various synthesis parameters such as, types of silicon alkoxides and alcohols, ammonia (catalyst) concentration, and reaction temperature on the particle size and shape of silica nanosphere by Sol-Gel method. When different silicon alkoxides were used, the silica particles except tetramethylorthosilicate (TMOS), all were spherical, and after reaching a maximum, the sizes were decreased with carbon chain length due to its steric effect. As the alcohol chain length increased from methanol (MeOH) to n-butanol (BuOH), the average particle size was increased from 30 nm to 800 nm. In general, all are having narrow particle size except BuOH sample were distributed bimodally (150 and 800 nm). When ammonia concentration increases, the particles also increased, however on increasing the reaction temperature, the particle sizes were reduced.