Silica-based hybrid microspheres: synthesis, characterization and wastewater treatment

Abstract

Silica hybrid microspheres with diameter of 280 nm have been synthesized from 1 mL tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and 0.4 mL octadecyltrimethoxysilane (C18TMS) in 20 mL of ethanol solution at room temperature for 24 h. The morphology and size of the samples were investigated by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM, JEOL-6700F) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM, JEOL 3010). The silica microspheres exhibit excellent adsorption abilities towards organic pollutants, for instance, dyes, oils, etc. Furthermore, the hydrophobic silica microspheres could be used as versatile templates for the controlled synthesis of mesoporous silica hybrid materials for wastewater treatment.