Dense Silica Nanoparticles via Silicate Route

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluorescent silica nanoparticles synthesized via the TEOS route are porous, affecting their chemical and photostability, and cannot produce particles with diameters less than 15 nm, limiting their applications in biochemistry and other fields.

Innovation Solution

The development of a method using the silicate route to produce dense silica nanoparticles with diameters between 2 and 15 nm, embedding labels or dyes, which enhances photostability and chemical stability by tuning the silica surface properties and allowing for the growth of non-porous cores and shells with covalently bound labels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the TEOS route is used to synthesize silica nanoparticles, then the synthesis process is simple and well-established, but the resulting nanoparticles are porous which reduces chemical stability and photostability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynthesis process simplicityVSAvoidchemical stability and photostability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the synthesis route from TEOS (tetraethyl orthosilicate) to silicate route, fundamentally altering the chemical parameters of the synthesis process. This parameter change transforms the nanoparticle structure from porous to dense non-porous, thereby improving chemical stability and photostability while maintaining synthesis feasibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by embedding fluorescent labels or dyes within the dense silica nanoparticle matrix. The silicate route enables formation of a composite material where the dense silica framework provides structural stability and protects the embedded fluorescent components, achieving both manufacturing simplicity and enhanced reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If the TEOS route is used to synthesize silica nanoparticles, then the synthesis is straightforward, but the minimum particle diameter is limited to 15 nm

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynthesis straightforwardnessVSAvoidparticle diameter

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the synthesis route from TEOS to silicate route, which fundamentally alters the nucleation and growth parameters. This enables control of particle diameter down to 2 nm, breaking the 15 nm lower limit imposed by the TEOS route while keeping the synthesis process straightforward

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If silica nanoparticles are made dense and non-porous, then chemical stability and photostability are improved, but the synthesis becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechemical stability and photostabilityVSAvoidsynthesis complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs the silicate route with controlled pH reduction and specific reagent additions (HCl, ammonia water, or CO2) to achieve dense non-porous nanoparticle formation. While the chemistry is more complex than TEOS, the process remains straightforward through systematic parameter control, achieving both high reliability and manageable synthesis complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The resulting nanoparticles exhibit improved photostability and chemical stability, enabling their use in various applications such as bio-labeling, imaging, and microfluidic coding, with tunable fluorescence properties and reduced photobleaching.

Implementation Method 1

reducing the pH of the first mixed solution thereby allowing conditions for the formation of covalent bonds among the silicon-containing molecules to form silica within which the first label is covalently bound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCovalent bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

formation of covalent bonds among the silicon-containing molecules to form silica

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

The present invention is oriented to a novel labelled silica-based nanomaterial, in particular a novel fluorescent silica-based nanomaterial with enhanced properties

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence