Synthesis and catalytic activity of hybrid metal/silicon nanocomposites

In this Letter we demonstrate that hydrogen-terminated porous silicon (PSi) layers and powders can serve as highly efficient reductive templates for noble metal salts. The reduction results in metal nanoparticle (NP) formation in the pores of PSi. Gold NP formation has been monitored in-situ by measuring the plasmon resonance response. Pt NPs, formed in the PSi matrix, were investigated by transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Furthermore, hybrid Pt/PSi nanocomposites exhibit a high catalytic activity for CO oxidation.