Monodisperse Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles: Preparation, Characterization and Application

As one of the most attractive materials over the past decades, mesoporous silica has proven a large number of applications in catalysis, separation, adsorption, biomedicine, photonics etc. Morphology and size greatly affect the properties and functions of mesoporous silica. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) with the size of several hundred nanometers provide enhanced pore accessibility, faster molecular diffusion, better dispersibility in aqueous and organic solvents and highly improved biocompatibility compared to their bulky counterparts. This dissertation focuses on developing new synthesis methods for the preparation of MSNs with well-controllable morphology, particle size, uniformity and dispersity. Four types of MSNs with various pore symmetries and diverse nanostructures were successfully synthesized. Furthermore, the application of the obtained MSNs has been probed in the adsorption of biomolecules, controlled release of fungicides and catalysis.