Preparation of core–shell mesoporous silica nanoparticles with bimodal pore structures by regrowth method

Abstract Core–shell structured mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) with different pore characteristics in the cores and shells have been prepared by the regrowth method. Adding a silica source to a dispersion of presynthesized silica–surfactant composite nanoparticles with two-dimensional hexagonal mesostructures results in regrowth in preference to generation of new particles. Core–shell MSNs with bimodal porosities are easily obtained by adding a pore-expanding agent, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, in either the core or shell formation step. Detailed characterization of the core–shell MSNs reveals that the shells consist of disordered arrangements of relatively large or small pores and that the pore sizes in the cores change when the shells formed. Core–shell MSNs will be useful for controlling the release rates of the encapsulated guest molecules and for protecting internal pores from being plugged by other species.