Mesoporous multi-shelled hollow resin nanospheres with ultralow thermal conductivity

Hollow nanostructures exhibit enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces inside and the consequent features of restricting molecular motion, which is crucial for intrinsic physicochemical properties. Herein, we developed a new configuration of hollow nanostructures with more than three layers of shells and simultaneously integrated mesopores on every shell. The novel interior configuration expresses the characteristics of periodic interfaces and abundant mesopores. Benefiting from the suppression of gas molecule convection by boundary scattering, the thermal conductivity of mesoporous multi-shelled hollow resin nanospheres reaches 0.013 W m(-1) K-1 at 298 K. The designed interior mesostructural configuration of hollow nanostructures provides an ideal platform to clarify the influence of nanostructure design on intrinsic physicochemical properties and propels the development of hollow nanostructures.

Automated summary

Hollow nanostructures with enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces inside are crucial for intrinsic physicochemical properties. A new configuration of hollow nanostructures with more than three layers of shells and integrated mesopores on every shell has been developed, exhibiting periodic interfaces and abundant mesopores. The thermal conductivity is low due to the suppression of gas molecule convection by boundary scattering. This design provides an ideal platform for studying the influence of nanostructure design on intrinsic physicochemical properties and promotes the development of hollow nanostructures.