Preferential immobilization of size-controlled anatase nanoparticles in mesopores

Abstract

Precise structural design of a host–guest complex was carried out from the aspects of the size and the location of the guest (anatase particles), and the remaining open space of the host (mesoporous silica). The size of the anatase particles was successfully controlled (3, 5 and 8 nm) during the preparation, and the size-controlled nanoparticles were preferentially encapsulated into the mesopores with a diameter of 8 nm. Due to the precise control of the anatase particles, size dependent photoluminescence of the anatase quantum dots was observed for the first time. The change in the porosity of the mesoporous silica by the immobilization of the anatase in the pore was followed to find a systematic variation of the porosity corresponding to the loaded anatase amount. This correlation can be useful to estimate the location of the guest in/on the host for the host–guest hybrids.