Deposition of Au nanoparticles into mesoporous SiO2 SBA-15

Au/SiO2 SBA-15 materials were prepared using supercritical CO2 (scCO2) and by wet impregnation. First, SiO2 SBA-15 was functionalized with thiol groups at different grafting densities using 3-(Mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane dissolved in scCO2. The support was then impregnated with HAuCl4·3H2O in scCO2 modified with EtOH. Wet impregnation of the supports with HAuCl4·3H2O in ethanol was also performed. Materials were calcined at 500 °C to remove the organic matter and promote particle growth. Materials prepared on the highest thiol grafting density support showed Au NP between 2.5 and 5 nm homogeneously distributed within the mesopores. Slightly larger Au NPs were obtained in scCO2 modified with EtOH. Materials prepared on the low thiol grafting density support showed a bimodal particle size distribution with particles up to 7 nm located inside the mesopores and larger ones of 10–20 nm on the external surface. A possible reaction mechanism was proposed. These materials can be used in catalysis, sensing and biomedicine.