Microstructure characterization of noble metal-silica nanocomposites

The presence of highly dispersed metal particles on solid supports with well-defined microstructure is important in the field of functional materials, active catalysts as well as bionanomaterials for medical applications. Noble metal nanostructures, in particular silver, palladium, and platinum nanoparticles were formed from ammine complexes ([Pt(NH₃)₄]Cl₂, [Ag(NH₃)₂]OH, and [Pd(NH₃)₄]Cl₂) and supported on high ordered mesoporous silica (SBA-15) and aluminosilica matrix. In this work, the distribution, composition and crystal structure of supported noble metal nanoparticles were determined and characterized. Finally the stability of incorporated nanostructures was confirmed. The microstructures of the obtained samples were analyzed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy. Obtained results indicated that developed procedures of synthesis and modification of mesoporous ordered silica or their derivate by proposed nanostructures are effective and allow to obtain new nanocomposites and nanocatalysts in repeatable and controlled way.