Silica Nanoparticles Produced in Aerosol to Reverse Microemulsions: Effect of Benzyl Alcohol on Particle Size and Polydispersity

F. J. Arriagada, K. Osseo-Asare

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Silica nanoparticles have been synthesized in AOT/decane/ammorium hydroxide reverse microemulsions via base-catalyzed hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). The effect of inter-micellar exchange has been investigated by conducting the synthesis experiments in the presence of benzyl alcohol (BA), an additive which is Known to act as a cosurfactant at the water/oil interface, increasing the inter-micellar exchange rates. Larger, more monodisperse particles are formed at higher benzyl alcohol concentrations. Furthermore, the presence of high concentrations of benzyl alcohol (BA/AOT molar ratios Larger than 1.5) promotes phase separation, probably due to the combined effects of the high benzyl alcohol content and the presence of ethanol (a product of the TEOS hydrolysis reaction). The effects of benzyl alcohol concentration on particle size and size distribution have been attributed to the inhibition of nucleation by fast rearrangement of hydrolyzed TEOS species.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)59-71
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Dispersion Science and Technology
Volume15
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 1994

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Polymers and Plastics

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