Formation and immobilization of Ag nanoparticles onto the surface of echinoid-like TiO2 particles using alcohol reduction method

Abstract

In this study, Ag nanoparticles were immobilized onto the surface of echinoid-like TiO2 particles through novel preparation route involving alcohol reduction method. First of all, echinoid-like TiO2 particles were synthesized via modified sol-gel method using titanium(IV) isopropoxide (TTIP) and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) in acetic acid. Secondly, the surface of TiO2 particles was modified with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) which acts as a chemical binder between Ag nanoparticles and the TiO2 surface. Finally, Ag-TiO2 composites were synthesized through alcohol reduction method using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a stabilizer to form and introduce Ag nanoparticles onto the TiO2 surface uniformly. To investigate the properties of Ag-TiO2 composites, field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV-Vis spectrophotometer were used.