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Tetrasulphide bridged mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (MONs) with a high sulphur content of ∼11% and a large pore size of ∼14 nm have been synthesized using tetrabutyl orthosilicate (TBOS) as a modulator in the synthetic system. It is shown that the incorporation of TBOS modulates the hydrolysis and co-condensation of inorganic silica and organosilica precursors during the formation of MONs, leading to a higher organosilica content and larger mesopores compared with the conventional synthesis using only tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as the inorganic silica precursor. Moreover, MONs with a high tetrasulphide content exhibit enhanced GSH oxidation capability, showing their potential in applications where GSH depletion is important. [Display omitted] • A new strategy to prepare MONs with high sulphur content and large pore. • TBOS modulated hydrolysis and condensation of inorganic and organic silanes. • Sulphur content dependent GSH depletion activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Image 1 • Using co-solvents (ethanol and chlorobenzene) with opposite roles in the structural regulation of MSNs has been reported. • Ethanol could increase the filling process of silicate species and silica-coated micelles into preformed DMSNs with large pores. • Chlorobenzene could slow down the filling process, leading to the formation of large-pore MSNs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]