Figure 3.

Characterization of layer-by-layer HMSNPs: (A–C) Nitrogen sorption graphs for H₁, H₂, and H₃ nanoparticles, respectively. All three particles display isotherms characteristic of mesoporous material according to IUPAC classification. Inserts show pore size distribution for nanoparticles in angstrom. H₁ and H₃ display a single peak while several peaks are observed in H₂ due to the decreased formation of uniformed pore structures of the bulky BTEPDS precursor; (D) XRD plots for H₁, H₂, and H₃ nanoparticles. The lack of typical Bragg peaks in all three particles is indicative of a disordered pore structure. This is commonly observed in organosilica nanoparticles; (E) TGA graphs for all the fabricated nanoparticles which exhibit weight loss percentages consistent with layer composition.