Synthesis and characterization of Silver-Silica heterogeneous nanocomposite particles by Lithium Aluminum Hydroxide reducing method

We have used Lithium Aluminum Hydroxide reducing method of silver nitrate to prepare heterogeneous silver-silica nanocomposite particles with thiol and amino groups serving to bind the Ag nanoparticles to the surfaces of the SiO2 nanoparticles. We examined products of these reductions using FTIR, SEM, XRD and UV-vis. spectroscopy. The SiO2 nanoparticles had diameters ranging from 70 to 90 nm; the Ag nanoparticles that formed on the surfaces of the SiO2 nanoparticles had an average size of ca. 15 nm.