*2.3. Template Extraction*

Agglomerates were removed from the as- synthesized samples by centrifugation for a short time at low speed (7197 rcf, 5 min). The pellet was discarded and the remaining particles in the supernatant were collected via centrifugation (7197 rcf, 20 min) for template extraction. After centrifugation, the particles were resuspended in a solution containing 2 g ammonium nitrate in 100 mL ethanol and heated for 45 min under reflux (90 ◦C), cooled and collected by centrifugation (7197 rcf, 20 min). The first reflux treatment was followed by a second extraction step for 45 min under reflux (90 ◦C) using a solution of 10 mL concentrated hydrochloric acid in 90 mL ethanol. The MSNs were collected by centrifugation for 20 min (7197 rcf) and washed with ethanol (3 × 70 mL). Finally, MSNs were dispersed in 15 mL ethanol and used for further characterization.
