title: Aerosol-assisted synthesis of monodisperse single-crystalline α-cristobalite nanospheres.
abstract: Monodisperse single-crystalline α-cristobalite nanospheres have been synthesized by hydrocarbon-pyrolysis-induced carbon deposition on amorphous silica aerosol nanoparticles, devitrification of the coated silica at high temperature, and subsequent carbon removal by oxidation. The nanosphere size can be well controlled by tuning the size of the colloidal silica precursor. Uniform, high-purity nanocrystalline α-cristobalite is important for catalysis, nanocomposites, advanced polishing, and understanding silica nanotoxicology.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Fine Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, PR China.
authors.forename: Xingmao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Lihong
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bao
authors.forename: Yung-Sung
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Darren R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Dunphy
authors.forename: Xiaodong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: C Jeffrey
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Brinker
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization; D054118:Nanospheres / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D010316:Particle Size; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D012822:Silicon Dioxide