Metal clusters and nanoparticles assembled in zeolites: an example of stable materials with controllable particle size

Abstract

An ion-exchangeable zeolite (mordenite) is used to control the formation of nanoparticles and clusters within the solid matrix by the hydrogen reduction of metal ions (Ag +, Cu 2+, and Ni 2+). SiO 2/Al 2O 3 molar ratio in mordenite appears to be an efficient tool to manage the reducibility of the metal ions. Few-atomic silver clusters in line with the larger silver nanoparticles were observed with DRS for the reduced Ag +-exchanged mordenites. Cu 2+-exchanged ones produce the copper nanoparticles with different optical appearance, and Ni 2+-exchanged mordenites are reduced up to complicated species with no explicit assignment of metal particles under the conditions studied.