Preparation and characterization of sol-gel derived silver-silica nanocomposite

Composite silver silicate nano-particles were prepared by sol-gel method to investigate the effect of annealing temperature and time durations. The prepared samples were subjected to heat treatment in the temperature range 100-350 degrees C for different time durations. Characterization of heat treated samples was carried out by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), (UV-vis-NIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of sintering temperature and time durations on the structural changes of Ag-doped silica has been discussed in detail. The sample sintered at 350 degrees C for 4h shows the formation of silver nanocrystallites in silica matrix with average grain size similar to 17.8 nm. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.