Core-shell SiO₂/Ag composite spheres: synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic properties

Core-shell SiO₂/Ag composite spheres with dense, complete and nanoscaled silver shell were prepared by using a novel facile chemical reduction method without surface modification of silica at room temperature. The core-shell composites were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-Vis spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The photocatalytic properties towards the degradation of methyl orange (Mo) of the prepared SiO₂/Ag composites were also tested. The studies showed that the surface of SiO₂ microspheres was homogeneously and completely covered by Ag nanoparticles and the composite exhibited excellent photocatalytic activities. The possible reaction mechanisms for the formation of the silica-silver core-shell spheres were also discussed in this paper.