title: Kinetically-controlled template-free synthesis of hollow silica micro-/nanostructures with unusual morphologies.
abstract: We report a kinetically-controlled template-free room-temperature production of hollow silica materials with various novel morphologies, including tubes, crutches, ribbons, bundles and bells. The obtained products, which grew in a well-controlled manner, were monodispersed in shape and size. The role of ammonia, sodium citrate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, chloroauric acid and NaCl in shape control is discussed in detail. The oriented growth of these micro-/nanostructures directed by reverse micelles followed a solution-solution-solid (SSS) mechanism, similar to the classic vapor-liquid-solid mechanism. The evolution processes of silica rods, tubes, crutches, bundles and bells were recorded using transmission electron microscopy to prove the SSS mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: An-Qi
authors.initials: AQ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Hui-Jun
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Dong-Jin
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.forename: Meng
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chen