Encapsulation of gold nanoclusters in silica materials via an inverse micelle/sol-gel synthesis
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Texas Instruments, Dallas, TX (United States)
Nanometer-sized gold particles were encapsulated in the micropores of xerogels and aerogels. The synthesis involves the sequential reduction of a gold salt followed by sol-gel processing in an inverse micelle solution. The inverse micelle solution solubilizes the metal salt and provides a microreactor for the nucleation, growth, and stabilization of the nanometer-sized clusters. Hydrolysis and condensation of an added siloxane precursor produces a wet gel embedding the particles. Characterization of the particle size and composition and the particle growth process was completed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction, and UV-visible absorption spectrometry. Characterization of the gel surface areas was completed with N{sub 2} porosimetry. Material properties determined as a function of the gel precursor (TEOS vs a prehydrolyzed form of TEOS), the water to gel precursor reaction stoichiometry, and surfactant concentration are discussed in terms of the unique solution chemistry occurring in the microheterogeneous inverse micelle solutions. 73 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Laboratory
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 563398
- Journal Information:
- Chemistry of Materials, Journal Name: Chemistry of Materials Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 9; ISSN CMATEX; ISSN 0897-4756
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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