The York Research Database

Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) confined within porous starch have been prepared in a simple, green and efficient manner, utilising the nanoporous structure of predominantly mesoporous starch (MS) to act as nanoparticle stabiliser, support and reducing surface. MS/AgNP materials present high surface areas (S(BET) > 150 m(2) g(-1)) and mesopore volumes (V(meso) > 0.45 cm(3) g(-1)). The interaction of the AgNP precursor and forming nanoparticle nuclei with the mesoporous domains of the porous polysaccharide, direct porosity to increasingly narrower and more defined pore size distributions, indicative of a degree of cooperative assembly. Transmission electron microscopy images indicated the presence of spherical AgNP of a size reflective of the porous polysaccharide mesopore diameter (e.g., 5-25 nm), whilst XPS analysis confirmed the metallic Ag(0) state. Materials were prepared at relatively low Ag loadings (