A Method for Obtaining Mesoporous Silica Particles with Surface Functionalisation

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The invention provides a method to produce mesoporous silica particles with customized surface functionalities using a simplified, environmentally friendly, and scalable process. Unlike traditional methods, which require harsh chemicals, high temperatures, and lengthy reaction times, this method operates in buffered aqueous solutions at mild, near-room temperatures, and can be run continuously. The process uses common and cost-effective precursors, such as sodium silicate and triblock copolymers, and incorporates surface functional groups directly during synthesis for versatile particle applications.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Development of heterogeneous catalysts for chemical reactions
• Support and immobilization of enzymes or pharmaceuticals for controlled release systems
• Production of advanced adsorbents for environmental remediation
• Carrier materials in drug delivery applications, improving targeted delivery and bioavailability
• Manufacturing of specialty coatings and fillers for improved performance in composites
• Sensor development, where surface functional groups enhance sensitivity or selectivity
• Use in chromatography as stationary phases with tailored interactions
• Creation of materials for energy storage or conversion, such as in batteries or fuel cells

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Mild, environmentally friendly synthesis conditions (aqueous, near-room temperature, buffered, no toxic solvents)
• Highly scalable: enables both batch and continuous large-scale production
• Reduces energy consumption and production cost compared to conventional methods
• Eliminates the need for expensive precursors and harsh reagents
• Allows direct and versatile incorporation of a wide range of surface functional groups
• Enables production of particles with controlled pore and particle size (from nanometers to 100 microns)
• High surface area materials (up to 1000 m2/g) with tunable properties
• Potentially simplifies downstream processing and recycling of solvents and templates

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Patent Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for obtaining mesoporous silica particles with surface functionalisation comprising the steps of providing a mixture of at least three precursor agents at a temperature between 20 °C and 100 °C, preferably between 20 °C and 60 °C, more preferably between 20 °C and 50 °C, most preferably between 20 °C and 30 °C, wherein the at least three precursor agents are selected from a group containing: at least one alkali silicate solution, at least one solution containing at least one pore structure directing agent (SDA), and at least one agent for surface functionalisation comprising at least one functionalising agent; wherein the pH of the mixture is adjusted to a range between 2 and 8 in a buffered system; allowing a reaction to take place at a temperature between 20 and 100 °C, preferably between 20 °C and 60°C, more preferably between 20 °C and 50 °C, most preferably between 20 °C and 30 °C whereby surface functionalized mesoporous silica particles as solid reaction product are formed; filtering off the surface functionalized mesoporous silica particles from the reaction mixture and opt. washing the surface functionalized mesoporous silica