Nanoporous silica particles prepared by chemical reactivity of ORMOSILs

Hybrid organic inorganic particles containing labile organic templates have been prepared by either controlled sol gel processing or co-condensation of colloidal silica particles with organosilicon precursors. Chemical removal of the templating organic spacer led to monomodal, porous microstructured silica particles exhibiting up to 50% porosity. Particle size and distribution, and porosity varied depending upon the process and the chemistry used to remove the porogen organic groups.