Ag+/MPTMS/PMHS-mediated two-step acid–base synthesis of hybrid materials with embedded nanosilver

A newly designed two-step acid–base sol–gel method for the synthesis of Ag-doped hybrid materials with tailored physicochemical properties is presented. In the proposed protocol, Ag+ is in situ reduced by Si–H bonds of polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) in the absence of an additional reductant. Hydrolysis of the alkyloxysilane groups of tetraethoxysilane and PMHS or 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS) can be promoted by the release of H+ due to complexation between Ag+/Ag0 and thiol groups. Newly formed nanosilver can be fully stabilized by a sol–gel reaction and embedded parallel to the skeletons. The MPTMS dosage used during synthesis has a significant impact on the textural characteristics of the final products. The properties of as-prepared materials are characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. This study presents a novel method for the synthesis of Ag-doped hybrid materials using the synergetic effects of common organosilane precursors.