Simple preparation of monodisperse hollow silica particles without using templatesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: TEM showing effects of hydrolysis time, reaction temperature and calcination on the particles. TGA of hollow particles, BET measurements of hollow and calcined hollow particles. See http://www.rsc.org/suppdata/cc/b3/b301521a/

Abstract

Monodisperse hollow silica particles were prepared without using templates via a two-step method in an aqueous solution, were controlled in size and hollow diameter, and were selectively soluble in organic solvents, leading to usefulness in many applications such as coating technology, catalysis, delivery systems, nanoreactors, and composite materials.