Structural control of mesoporous silica nanoparticles in a binary surfactant system

The grain size and regularity of the hexagonal array of mesoporous silica nanoparticles were investigated in a binary surfactant system composed of cetyltrimethylammonium chloride and triblock copolymer EO₁₀₆PO ₆₀EO₁₀₆. Structural control was achieved by varying the parameters for the prior hydrolysis of silicon alkoxide under an acidic condition and the subsequent assembly of silicates and surfactants under a basic condition. The formation of the mesoscale architectures was based on the balance between the ordered assembly of anionic silicates and the cationic surfactant through electrostatic interaction and the inhibition of grain growth with a nonionic amphiphilic agent through hydrogen bonds.