Fabrication of silver-coated silica microspheres through mussel-inspired surface functionalization

A facile method was developed to prepare silica–silver core–shell composite microspheres with continuous, compact, and conductive silver layers. The procedure involves dopamine oxidative self-polymerization and electroless plating. The poly(dopamine) layer was used as the chemi-sorption sites for silver ions and promoted the silver deposition. The electroless plating procedure involves a combination of surface activation, seeding growth, and deposition. The chemical composition and the crystal structure of the silica–silver core–shell composite microspheres were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. In addition, the surface morphology and chemical composition of each composite microsphere were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that the silver layer on the silica surface was continuous and compacted.

Graphical abstractSurface-silverized silica microspheres were prepared by dopamine oxide self-polymerization and electroless plating. The continuity and thickness of the silver layer could be well controlled.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (37 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Surface of silica was modified by dopamine oxide self-polymerization. ► The PDA layer was used as the chemi-sorption sites for silver ions. ► The continuity and the thickness of the silver layers could be well controlled.