One-step synthesis of golf ball-like thiol-functionalized silica particles

There is increasing interest in the synthesis of golf ball-like particles. Most of the reports on golf ball-like particles have focused on polymer particles, while relatively few are concerned with inorganic particles. In this work, golf ball-like thiol-functionalized silica particles were synthesized for the first time by a one-step sol-gel reaction using 3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as the precursors. The particle growth with time was monitored by SEM and a particle formation mechanism was proposed. The effects of different reaction parameters including the TEOS/MPTMS molar ratio, the NH4OH concentration, and the stirring rate on the morphology and size of the golf ball-like organosilica particles were studied. Given that the thiol groups have versatile functionalities, golf ball-like thiol-functionalized silica particle is a useful model for academic studies.