Macroporous silver monoliths using a simple surfactant

An elegant method to synthesize porous silver monoliths using a simple surfactant cum reductant, Triton X-114, as the sacrificial template is described. The gel forming property of the surfactant with silver nitrate is utilized to make the porous framework. The monoliths obtained with a mixture of Triton X-114 and dextran have also been examined. A significant improvement in the pore structure was observed when Triton X-114 was used along with Ludox silica sol, followed by calcination and HF treatment. The presence of interparticle pores in the 20-25 nm range on the macroporous silver framework suggests the role of silica spheres in the nanopore formation. (c) 2006 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.