Fig. 1

Nanoquartz synthesized from SB microemulsions. Representative TEM data of the nanoquartz synthesized from SB (Span® 80 and Brij® 30) microemulsions using 5 μl g⁻¹ of a 3 wt.% (a–c), 5 wt.% (d) and 7.5 wt.% (e–g) aqueous SMS (sodium metasilicate) solution. a, b Bright field images of 1–5 nm particles formed after standing the microemulsion for a 2 days and b 9 days. c Electron diffraction pattern of the region shown in b revealing diffraction spots attributed to α-quartz and silicon, see Table 1. d, e Bright field images of 1–5 nm particles formed after standing the microemulsion for d 2 days and e 9 days. f Electron diffraction pattern of the region shown in e revealing diffraction spots attributed to α-quartz and silicon, see Table 1. g High resolution image (HREM) of a 5 nm particle after standing the microemulsion for 2 days. The inset shows the FFT of the image, which indexes on the 〈212〉 zone axis of α-quartz. Scale bars are 50 nm in a, b, d, and e, 5 nm in g and 2 nm⁻¹ in c, f and the inset to g