Templating silica network construction using 3,5-dihydroxybenzylalcohol based dendrimers: influence of dendrimer aggregation on evolving network structure

Tailoring silver nanoparticle construction using dendrimer templated silica networks

“…In general, there was an increase in the average particle size in going from G1-3 networks. This is consistent with the pore size increase in these networks [5] and, as expected, an increase in the internal space in these pores leads to an increase in the size of the nanoparticles.…”

“…TEM image of silver particles synthesized using G4 dendrimer templated network is shown in figure 5 (right). The size range of these particles was between 25-80 nm, with an average size of ∼45 nm, which is higher than the size of the particles obtained from G1-3 templated silica networks and is in line with the increased pore size in this network [5]. It is well known that silver acetate reacts with acidic groups including silanol (Si-OH), leading to the formation of acetic acid and grafted silver ions [3,8].…”

“…3,5-dihydroxybenzyl alcohol (DHBA) and silver acetate were purchased from Aldrich, and were used as received. DHBAbased dendrimers and the corresponding dendrimer templated silica networks were synthesized using a procedure as described in references [4c, 4d, 4e] and [5]. Solid state 13 C{ 1 H} NMR spectra were obtained on a Chemagnetic CMX 300 MHz spectrometer with high-power decoupling.…”

“…Silica-based networks have also offered one of these platforms since their internal structure can be tailored, which can then be utilized to control the location of the metal particles [3]. We have recently reported a simple methodology in which 3,5-dihydroxybenzyl alcohol (DHBA)-based dendrimers [4] were used as templates in the construction of silica-based networks [5]. These networks contain Si-OH groups directed inwards, as indicated by their water-repellent behavior on the surface.…”