Synthesis of silver nanoparticles within the pores of functionalized-free silica beads: The effect of pore size and porous structure

Here, we report on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) manipulating the pores of silica beads (SBs) with sizes ranging from 0.5 to 1 mm. Silver ions were occluded inside the pores of SBs and in situ reduced to Ag-NPs using Sodium borohydride (NaBH 4 ). SBs with different average pore diameters from 3.8 to 20 nm were used to assess the effect of their pore sizes and porous structures on the formation of Ag-NPs. Obtained results revealed that the silver amount occluded inside pores increases along with the increase of total pore volume. The particle sizes of the synthesized Ag-NPs mainly distribute from 8 to 15 nm and vary with the pore sizes and porous structure.