Process for making mesoporous silicate nanoparticle coatings and hollow mesoporous silica nano-shells
Nanoparticles, nanocomposites, and methods for making the nanoparticles and nanocomposites are disclosed. Illustrated methods include preparing a nanocomposite particle by binding a silicate compound to the surface of a core particle in an aqueous suspension, adding a silicate source and an organic surfactant template, and stirring the aqueous suspension to obtain silicate growth. The resultant nanoparticles and nanocomposites have desired mesoporous silicate structure
1. A method of preparing a nanocomposite particle comprising the steps of:
binding a silicate compound to the surface of a colloidal metal particle in an aqueous suspension,
wherein the colloidal metal particle is a colloidal gold particle,
adding a silicate source and an organic surfactant template, and
stirring the aqueous suspension to obtain silicate growth of a mesoporous silicate structured coating.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the silicate compound is mercaptopropyl-trimethoxysilafle.
3. A method of preparing a nanocomposite particle comprising the steps of:
binding a silicate compound to the surface of a colloidal metal particle in an aqueous suspension,
adding a silicate source and an organic surfactant template,
stirring the aqueous suspension to obtain silicate growth of a mesoporous silicate structured coating, and
dissolving the colloidal metal particle to yield a hollow nano-shell.
4. A hollow nanocomposite particle produced according to the method of claim 3 .
5. The hollow particle of claim 4 where the void volume is loaded with a compound selected from the group comprising water, oils, catalysts, organic dye molecules, nucleic acids, and other biologically significant compounds.
6. The hollow particle of claim 4 where the void volume is loaded with a volatile gaseous species selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, oxygen, and methane.