Formation of hierarchically ordered silicas prepared by spray drying of nanosized spheres

We report on our strategy to synthesise defined arrangements of macro- and mesopores in one single material with spherical morphology using the spray drying technique. As starting materials, nano-sized silica spheres and colloidal suspensions were chosen. The intra-particle as well as inter-particle pore size was independently controlled which allowed to obtain materials with varied bimodal pore networks. The spherical agglomerates were characterised regarding their pore structural parameters and are potential adsorbents in liquid chromatographic separations.