Formation of Silica–Organic Hybrid Nanoparticles by Cross-linking of Ultra-small Silica Nanoparticles

A new type of silica–organic hybrid nanoparticle (HNPs) ∼30 nm in size, consisting of vinylsilylated silica nanoparticles (SNPs) of size ∼2 nm and 1,6-hexanedithiol as the organic linker, were prepared by their interconnection via the thiol–ene reaction. The particle size of the HNPs varied depending on the concentration of the linker. Additionally, they could be dispersed in organic solvents and further successful chemical modification of the internal surfaces of HNPs indicated the accessibility of guest species into the internal nanospaces. Silica–organic hybrid nanoparticles (HNPs) ∼30 nm in size, consisting of vinylsilylated silica nanoparticles (SNPs) of size ∼2 nm and 1,6–hexanedithiol organic linker, were prepared via the thiol–ene reaction. The particle size of the HNPs varied depending on the concentration of the linkers. These HNPs were dispersed in organic solvents and their internal surfaces could be successfully modified chemically.