Solgel synthesis and structural characterization of silver-silica nanocomposites

• DOI: 10.1007/s12648-010-0142-8
• Publication Date: 2010-12-22T05:55:30Z
• Authors: Sunita Devi; M. Srivastva
• Keywords: Silver nanoparticle; Amorphous silica; Characterization; Matrix (chemical analysis)

The solgel process has been successfully used to prepare silver/silica nanocomposites. After drying in air at 50°C for 30 min, samples were heat treated in air, at 100, 200, 400 and 500°C for the formation of silver nanoparticles. Evolution of silver nano-particles in the amorphous SiO2 matrix as a function of annealing temperature has been studied. Characterizations were made by X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible, and infrared spectroscopy. Mechanisms of silver clusters formation in the densified silica matrix with respect to thermal treatment are discussed.