Structural change of mesoporous silica with sonochemically prepared gold nanoparticles in its pores

Ultrasonic irradiation of mesoporous silica soaked in a mixture of chloroauric acid and isopropanol for 120 min in Ar atmosphere at room temperature yielded Au/SiO₂ mesoporous composite, which was characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy and optical absorption measurement. The structure of mesoporous silica after sonochemical preparation of gold (Au) nanoparticles within its pores was studied by nitrogen adsorption technique. It has been shown that the structural parameters, such as specific surface area (SSA), porosity (P), the mean pore diameter (l_p) were increased significantly after ultrasonic irradiation. It is suggested that the collision of Au nanoparticles with pore walls and localized erosion induced by the asymmetric implosive collapse of cavities on the extensive liquid–solid interface that are responsible for the structural change in the mesoporous solid.