Controllable Synthesis of Hollow Silica Nanospheres

Abstract

Nano hollow SiO₂ refers to a unique form of nanoscale silica material that has an inner cavity structure. This hollow configuration offers several advantages over solid structures, including a larger specific surface area, lower density, and improved permeability. Additionally, hollow silica is chemically inert and thermally stable, making it an excellent candidate for drug delivery applications. Silica's transparency to both light and magnetism ensures that it does not absorb light or disrupt magnetic fields, preserving the inherent optical or magnetic properties of certain composites. In addition, its porosity, biocompatibility, and mechanical stability are adjustable and controllable, making it an ideal and cost-effective material for both industrial and biological uses. This study synthesised a range of hollow spherical silica samples via the sol-gel process. The aim was to investigate the impact of different factors on their sphericity and wall thickness.