Block-copolymer directed in-situ synthesis of Mesoporous SiCN and Supported Au & Ag nanoparticles for Catalysis

Abstract

Novel concerted copolymerization, microphase separation, and crosslinking strategy for the synthesis of mesoporous SiCN with high surface area has been developed. Influence of pore size and surface area by changing length and ratio of porogen organic block is demonstrated. Longer the chain length and higher the porogen ratio trends the SiCN under mesoporous region with high surface area. Whereas shorter chain length porogen trends the SiCN under microporous region. The de Boer method, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), and statistical thickness plot (t-plot) are utilised to confirm mesoporous and microporous textural properties of the SiCN. The same synthetic strategy is also extended to the synthesis of mesoporous SiCN supported metal nanoparticles. Well distributed in situ formation of gold and silver nanoparticles during the synthesis of mesoporous SiCN is emerged followed by successful prevention of sintering at 1000°C. Synthesized materials are mainly characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, powder X-ray diffrectometer and nitrogen physisorption techniques.