CHED 490 |
| A systematic approach has been undertaken to develop a procedure to consistently produce silica microspheres. Silicates can be prepared by mixing a weak acid such as acetic acid with tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS). If left to react, this results in the formation of a gel. Silica microspheres can be formed if the reaction is quenched in time. Several variables have been tested to determine their influence on the production of silica microspheres in terms of sphere formation and consistency of size and shape of the sphere. Silica microspheres were prepared by varying the method of mixing, the mixing time, the reagent concentration, and the solvent composition. These variations were applied to both doped and non-doped silica spheres to determine any differences between the formations of the two. The overall reaction time was held constant. SEM images were taken of each sample to determine the relationship between reaction parameters and physical characteristics of the silica microspheres. Physical properties examined were size of particles, general shape, consistency/uniformity, and product yield. Representative SEMs will be presented. |
|
Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Nanotechnology
11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |