One-step/one-pot decoration of oxide microparticles with silver nanoparticles

• One-step/one-pot decoration of oxide particles with Ag nanoparticles.
• Process 1: Ag2O precipitation onto SiO2/TiO2 microparticle surface.
• Process 2: Room temperature Ag2O thermal decomposition to give Ag nanoparticles.
• Low-cost materials and low-energy consumption in an environmentally harmless method.

HypothesisHeterogeneous nucleation of silver oxide (Ag2O) onto oxide microparticles (OMPs) followed by spontaneous thermal decomposition produce nanostructures made of OMPs decorated with silver nanoparticles (OMP|AgNPs).ExperimentsColloidal chemistry methods have been used to produce the decoration of OMPs with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), by carrying out the Ag2O precipitation/thermal decomposition. The process is driven in water enriched acetone medium containing NaOH, NH3, AgNO3 and SiO2MPs as substrate. Optical and morphological properties of OMP|AgNPs were characterized by using STEM, EDS, HRTEM and Raman spectroscopy.FindingsA new synthetic method to decorate OMPs (TiO2, SiO2) with metallic AgNPs in a single step/single pot reaction is proven effective to produce OMP|AgNPs either in aqueous or water enriched media.

Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (128 K)Download as PowerPoint slide