Synthesis of Silica Nanoparticles by using Sol-Gel Method

Synthesis of Silica Nanoparticles by using Sol-Gel Method

1. CHECKLIST

   Sodium silicate solution (containing around 8% Na2O and 28% SiO2), Ammonia Solution, Ethanol, Water
   
2. STEP 1.

   Take Sodium silicate solution (1ml) and add it into 15ml of water.
   
3. STEP 2.

   Make second solution by mixing Ammonia (90ml) and Ethanol (30ml).
   (NOTE: You can increase Ammonia concentration to further reduce Silica particle size.)
   
4. STEP 3.

   Add Sodium Silicate solution drop wide into Ammonia+Ethanol solution.
   
5. STEP 4.

   After 1 hour of aging, wash and centrifuge the formed product. Finally dry it to get the powder of Silica Nanoparticles.
   
6. RESULTS

   Size of the formed Silica Nanoparticles should be around 80nm. Broad peak around 24 two theta should be observed in XRD. FTIR consist of peaks at 1094–1100 cm−1 for Si–O–Si; and the band at 466–470 cm−1 for Si–O–Si.
   
7. NOTE: All the experiments should be done under the guidance of lab Incharge; and proper lab safety instructions.