Spherical silica particle production by combined biomimetic-Stöber synthesis using renewable sodium caseinate without petrochemical agents

Spherical silica particles are typically made via Stöber processes. However, these processes environmentally unsustainable. Here, we report a process to synthesise spherical in more sustainable way using sodium caseinate. Initial experiments showed that caseinate can replace the typical industrial structural directing agents used produce particles. Particles of 124 nm size were produced with 200 mg L−1 and 81 µL silicate, bimodal distribution (258 1432 nm) 400 silicate. multimodal distributions between 363–1588 342–860 where 162 silicate 810 respectively. Higher concentrations low promoted Ostwald ripening. Low high coalescence. Subsequent optimisation monodispersity statistical design yielded size-monodisperse narrower 172 340 caseinate, calcium chloride, acetate buffer. Analysis variance (ANOVA) regression analyses determine quantify relationship reagent particle size. A equation was calculated, which predicts based on concentration. Predicted sizes (189.6, 197.1, 204.6, 212.1 experimentally determined (200, 190, 184, 196 good agreement. The possibility producing sustainably is shown.