Synthesis of Ag/SiO2 nanosize particles by reverse micelle and sol-gel processing

Abstract

Ag/SiO2 composite particles have been synthesized within reverse micelle via metal alkoxide hydrolysis and condensation. The size of the particles and the thickness of the coating can be controlled by manipulating the relative rates of the hydrolysis and condensation reactions of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) within the micro-emulsion. The average size of the synthesized particles was in the size range of 20-40 nm. The effects of synthesis parameters, such as the concentration of the Ag solution, the molar ratio of water to TEOS, and the molar ratio of water to surfactant, are discussed.