Patent ID: 8883038

Claim:
A method for synthesizing a plurality of ultra-bright luminescent silica particles, the method comprising the steps of: initiating a cationic acidic templating synthesizing reaction utilized to form large nanoporous silica particles that have self-sealed nanosize pores, the synthesizing reaction including a synthesizing solution comprising a cationic surfactant at or above critical micellar concentration, water, an organosilicate or sodium silicate as a silica precursor, hydrochloride acid, and at least one luminescent dye material, and optionally at least one of formamide and glycin; and stopping, after said plurality of ultra-bright luminescent silica nanoparticles have been produced but before large nanoporous silica particles are formed, the synthesizing reaction by adding a neutralizing medium to the synthesizing reaction, wherein the pH of said neutralizing medium is 7 or higher.