Supermicroporous Silica Nanograins: Synthesis and Application

Supermicroporous silicas having micropores 1–2 nm in diameter were miniaturized to 30–40 nm in diameter using a combination of binary organic agents: cationic surfactant as a porogen and polyethylene glycol as a growth suppressor in a concentrated system. The miniaturized nanograins of the porous silica were effective as a porous and transparent matrix for WO3 quantum dots that exhibit enhanced photocatalytic activity.