Preparation and characterization of sol–gel derived silver-silica nanocomposite

Composite silver silicate nano-particles were prepared by sol–gel method to investigate the effect of annealing temperature and time durations. The prepared samples were subjected to heat treatment in the temperature range 100–350 °C for different time durations. Characterization of heat treated samples was carried out by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), (UV–vis–NIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of sintering temperature and time durations on the structural changes of Ag-doped silica has been discussed in detail. The sample sintered at 350 °C for 4 h shows the formation of silver nanocrystallites in silica matrix with average grain size ∼17.8 nm.

Research highlights▶ In this work, we successfully synthesize the silver nanoparticles by a sol–gel method. ▶ The reaction temperature is controlled at 100–350 °C. ▶ The particles we synthesize, show us an excellent. ▶ It is so important in applications.