One-step synthesis of functional chiral porous silica nanorods using an achiral surfactant.

Functional chiral porous silica nanorods have been synthesized by a one-step process. In this process, self-assembly of achiral cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and co-condensation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTS) took place simultaneously in basic solution under static conditions. The functional nanorods were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, N2 adsorption-desorption measurements, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. The formation process of chiral nanorods is different from the chiral silica nanostructure synthesis pathways reported previously. Furthermore, the chiral nanorods could be used as a highly selective adsorbent for Hg2+ ions in waste water.