Abstract
In this study, silica/silver core-shell nano-spheres with uniform diameter and morphology were successfully synthesized by a facile electroless plating method within a mild condition. With the help of glucose, the particle size of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) deposited on silica spheres was well controlled in the range from 10 to 50 nm. The morphology of the SiO2/Ag was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), while the lattice analysis were performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resoluton TEM (HR-TEM). Furthermore, the binding energy and chemical shift were examined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In the optical properties test, we found that when the diameter of AgNPs increased form10 to 50 nm, the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption band shifted toward infra-red region and became broader gradually. This result is very promising because the traditional TiO2 without doping other elements has to absorb UV-light to trigger the photocatalystic reaction. With the using of SiO2/Ag composite, we may efficiently change the solar energy to decompose the organic pollutants. It is not only a cost-effective route but also an energy-saving way to our environment.