’ INTRODUCTION Since the discovery of carbon nanotubes, hollow nanotubes have attracted considerable attention due to their functional significance and potential applications in nanoscale devices, sensors, and energy storage/conversion. In particular, silica nanotubes raise special interest because of their biocompatibility, confined environment as nanocontainers, and feasibility of chemical mo...

We successfully synthesized two different structures, silica nanospheres and porous polymer membranes, via nanophase separation, based on a sol-gel process. Silica sol, which was in situ polymerized from tetraorthosilicate, was used as a precursor. Subsequently, it was mixed with a polymer that was used as a matrix component. It was observed that nanophase separation occurred after the mixing o...

We explored fd as a template to direct the formation of silica nanomaterials with different morphologies through simple sol-gel chemistry[1]. Depending on the conditions silica nanowires can be formed, which seem to accurately transcript the bending conformation and the length of the fd viruses in solution. But also surprisingly straight silica rods may be formed, and under other conditions bow...

The preparation of sol-gel derived silica-based nanomaterials containing electrical conductive carbon fillers in an extensive composition range is described and their electrical properties are presented. Nanomaterials of carbon filler concentrations up to 60% (v/v) were obtained by dip coating or screen-printing from precursors of hydrolysed alkoxysilanes. Nanostructured morphology could be ide...

In the present investigation surface modification of silica nanoparticles by alumina was carried out by sol-gel process. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) confirmed the synthesis of silica and the surface modification as alumina is anchored to silica surface. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigation...

In the present investigation surface modification of silica nanoparticles by alumina was carried out by sol-gel process. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) confirmed the synthesis of silica and the surface modification as alumina is anchored to silica surface. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigation...

We have studied the capacity of the drying agent silica gel (SG) to absorb isoflurane from gas samples. When dry, SG was able to absorb 31 times its own volume of isoflurane vapour, which could be recovered almost completely from the SG by displacement with water vapour. However, we were unable to demonstrate any significant absorption of isoflurane by wet SG. Care must be taken, therefore, whe...

An improved, specific and sensitive method for the determination of the coproporphyrin isomers I and III is described. In this method, the hydrolysis of the coproporphyrin methyl esters takes place in the silica gel layer of acid-resistant pre-coated thin layer plates. After chromatography in the solvent system 2,6-dimethylpyridine/water, (volume ratio 20 ml + 6 ml), in an ammonia atmosphere, t...