Dear friend Ziyanda Ngoloyi

To determine the quantities of reagents for synthesizing silica nanoparticles using the sol-gel method, you will need to consider several factors such as the desired particle size, concentration, and purity of the final product.

One common approach is to use a molar ratio of reagents based on the stoichiometry of the sol-gel reaction. In the case of synthesizing silica nanoparticles, tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) is commonly used as the silica precursor, and water is used as the hydrolyzing agent. The stoichiometric reaction between TEOS and water is as follows:

Si(OC2H5)4 + 4 H2O → SiO2 + 4 C2H5OH

Based on this reaction, the ideal molar ratio of TEOS to water is 1:4. However, this ratio may need to be adjusted depending on the specific conditions of the synthesis.

Other factors that may affect the quantities of reagents used include the desired pH of the solution, the type and concentration of catalysts or surfactants used, and the desired method of nanoparticle isolation and purification.

For a condensation reaction, such as the sol-gel synthesis of silica nanoparticles, the general approach is to mix the precursors and allow them to react to form the desired product. The reaction may be influenced by factors such as temperature, pH, and the concentration and nature of catalysts or surfactants used. In general, the condensation reaction for sol-gel synthesis of silica nanoparticles involves hydrolysis of the precursor followed by the condensation of the resulting silanols to form the silica nanoparticles.

Kaushik Shandilya Thank you so much, this really helped

Hello

The synthesis of nanostructures is taught in the university and mostly belongs to the post-graduate course, i.e. master's degree and doctorate.

In the beginning, it is better for you to study materials to familiarize yourself with nanostructures, which include the characteristics and methods of their synthesis and applications, in order to get a general view. Then read related articles and use their experimental parts. Also, from the context (history) section of the article, see what methods have been used for a specific material. Because making a material or composition without knowing the materials, their safety, and the working method will require a lot of time and money. For this purpose, I recommend reference books and reference sites about material specifications, etc.

you can see some of the articles at below:

Synthesis of Silica Nanoparticles by Sol-Gel: Size-Dependent Properties, Surface Modification, and Applications in Silica-Polymer Nanocomposites—A Review

Synthesis of silica nanoparticles by modified sol–gel process: the effect of mixing modes of the reactants and drying techniques

Fast Nucleation for Silica Nanoparticle Synthesis in Sol-Gel Method

Synthesis and Properties of Silica Nanoparticles by Sol-gel Method for the Application in Green Chemistry

Synthesis of SiO2 Nanoparticles by Sol-Gel Method and Their Optical and Structural Properties