One-step synthesis of functional chiral porous silicananorods using an achiral surfactant

Abstract

Functional chiral porous silica nanorods have been synthesized by a one-step process. In this process, self-assembly of achiral cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and co-condensation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTS) took place simultaneously in basic solution under static conditions. The functional nanorods were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, N₂ adsorption–desorption measurements, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. The formation process of chiral nanorods is different from the chiral silica nanostructure synthesis pathways reported previously. Furthermore, the chiral nanorods could be used as a highly selective adsorbent for Hg²⁺ ions in waste water.