Using silica films and powders modified with benzophenone to photoreduce silver nanoparticles

Porous silica (SiO2 films and powders), modified with benzophenone (BP), facilitates the formation of stable sliver nanoparticles by taking advantage of the solid supported photosensitizer. The silica serves as a carrier for the BP into an aqueous solution and its subsequent removal. Benzophenone, bound to a silica film, was able to reduce silver ions to generate nanoparticles in solution, while silica powder with bound BP generates silver nanoparticles that are attracted to the silica. Silver nanoparticles are also fabricated in porous silica films by incorporating silver ions into the films before casting and then irradiating the film in a solution containing BP. From pH studies, it is concluded that the ketyl-radicals and anion-radicals of BP and IPA both take part in the reduction of silver ions. These synthetic studies provide a new photochemical reduction method by immobilizing the reactant on a silica surface allowing generation of silver nanoparticles in solution attached to powders or inside a film for catalytic applications or increased conductivity of silica films.