Synthesis of macroporous silica with nanometer-sized continuous through pores by using denatured collagen as a template

Abstract

Porous silica with continuous through-pores has a low pressure drop for fluids and is expected to have applications in HPLC columns. We have synthesized porous silica with micropores under acidic conditions by using collagen fibril or denatured collagen as templates. In the present study, the porous silica with continuous through-pores of about 100 nm can be successfully synthesized for the first time under neutral conditions by using denatured collagen as a template. Denatured collagen was found to be necessary for the formation of continuous through-pores. Furthermore, the composite state between denatured collagen and silica was also found to affect the formation of continuous through-pores.

Keywords

• Porous silica
• Continuous through-pores
• Denatured collagen