Controlling Particle Size and Structural Properties of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Using the Taguchi Method

Abstract

The Taguchi method, a statistical design with an L8 orthogonal array, was adopted to optimize the synthetic conditions of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) with respect to particle size and structural properties. The amount of the silica source (i.e., tetraethoxysilane), pH value, and reaction time were selected as significant parameters affecting the size and structural properties of the synthesized MSNs. Particle sizes ranging from 17 to 247 nm were successfully controlled by the Taguchi method, and the statistical data based on experimental results indicated that the pH value of the silica/surfactant precursor solution had a greater influence (57%) on particle size than did reaction time and the TEOS amount (29% and 13%, respectively). The effects of individual parameters on particle size and structural properties, such as surface area and structural ordering, were also investigated by changing one parameter at a time. We concluded that the pH value strongly affected mesostructural ordering and particle size. Longer reaction times in basic conditions had little effect on structural ordering but caused erosion of the MSN silica framework, resulting in smaller particle sizes. The minimum amount of TEOS for ordered MSNs was 5 mL, and more TEOS slightly increased the particle size of the synthesized MSNs. The rational design and systematic investigation of synthetic conditions for MSNs with controllable particle sizes and structural properties presented in this study show great potential for MSN-based catalytic and biomedical applications.

Silica‐based Ceramics: Mesoporous Silica

“…Recently, Chiang et al reported the control of MSNs particle sizes from 17 to 247 nm based on the Taguchi design method, by controlling the amount of TEOS, reaction time, and pH value [164]. They investigated the effect of the different parameters that influence particle size, resulting in the following sequence: pH (57%) > reaction time (29%) > amount of TEOS (13%).…”

Controlled release and intracellular protein delivery from mesoporous silica nanoparticles

“…The synthetic process has a strong influence on the resulting MSN particles, pH in particular, allowing for fine control of particle size, etc. [34]. Additionally, alcohols with long alkyl chains have been shown to affect MSN particle size by altering the tetraalkylsilicate hydrolysis kinetics [35].…”

Monodispersed mesoporous silica nanospheres based on pyridinium ionic liquids

“…The tremendous attentions on MSNs are due to its desirable properties such as high surface area, large pore volume and easy functionalization [2,3]. Furthermore, this material can be tailored according to the type of applications and some of the common applications of this material are as catalyst, absorbent, in separation techniques and in the biomedical industry [1,[4][5][6]. However, for biomedical applications, it is important that the MSNs generated are monodispersed with particles size < 100 nm as it is advantageous in cell endocytosis process [7].…”