Incorporation of silver nanoparticles in kaolinite clays

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles were synthesized in the interlamellar space of alayered kaolinite clay m ineral. Disaggregation of the lamellae of non-swelling kaolinite was achieved by intercalation of dimethylsulfoxide. The Ag⁺ ions after adsorption in the interlamellar space were reduced by NaBH4 or by UV irradation. The changing of the structure of kaolinite and the intercalation of silver nanoparticles were monitored by x-ray diffraction. We compared the effects of the two reduciont methods on the size and the size distribution of Ag nanoparticles by TEM investigation and SAXS experiments how clay mineral structure is altered as a consequence of particle formation. It was established that the size of Ag nanoparticles depends on both silver content and the reduction method. The chemical reduction showed Ag nanoparticles with 7.1-10.5 nm and photoreduciont of silver led to the formation of relatively large Ag nanoparticles with 8.3-11.2 nm.