Effect of Heat Treatment on the Physical Properties and Morphology of Hollow Submicron SiO 2 Particles

Hollow silica particles are obtained by the template method using previously synthesized particles of polymethyl methacrylate. The effect of the type of catalyst (ammonium hydroxide, L-arginine) on the shrinkage and mechanical strength of silica shells during heat treatment is established. Their initial porosity is assessed. The dependence of the shrinkage of hollow particles on the temperature of calcination in the range of 100–900°C is shown. It is found that the particles obtained using ammonium hydroxide as the catalyst have a higher mechanical strength and are less susceptible to deformation during calcination.