Kazuyuki Kuroda and colleagues from Waseda University have discovered another way of synthesizing colloidal mesoporous silica nanoparticles (CMSS). Kuroda has shown that they can successfully remove the surfactants via dialysis, whist still maintaining particle dispersion.

Colloidal nanoparticles are of great interest within the community, as they can be applied practically to various fields of research, especially for biomedical applications. There have been numerous reports on the preparation of similar materials, however, the particles tend to aggregate during the surfactant removal process when using such conventional methods. Kuroda's dialysis method overcomes this major disadvantage and shows that the particle dispersion can be maintained for all CMSS that have a size less than 20 nm. 

Kuroda and his team also showed that the dispersed nanoparticles can accommodate guest molecules. In addition to this, the nanoparticle diameter can be reduced just by changing the silica source that is used. These CMSS are seen as inorganic virus-like particles and can potentially be utilized as a replacement for ferritins - a globular protein usually found in prokaryote and eukaryote cells.

Kuroda believes that by further optimizing the conditions of both the template removal process and the downsizing technique reported, it will then be possible to finely control the number of mesopores being formed, as well as controlling the particle sizes.

Emma Shiells