Metal-Dispersed Mesoporous Silica by in-Situ and Post Impregnation

Metal-dispersed mesoporous silica was prepared by in-situ synthesis and post impregnation, respectively. In-situ synthesis of the metal-dispersed mesoporous silica was performed by the addition of metal precursor into the precursor solution in the aerosol reactor. Silver grew in the mesopores surrounded by the solidified silica wall. The incorporation of the metals catalyzed the solidification of the silica phase, considerably improving the regularity of the mesophases. The post impregnation with various precursor solutions containing silver was carried out for the mesoporous silica. The dispersion of metal nanoparticles was significantly improved with 3-aminoisopropyltetraethoxysilane (APS) and mercaptoisopropyltetraethoxysilane (MPTS). The use of ethylene glycol as a solvent also improved the metal dispersion.