Inverse miniemulsion-based preparation of raspberry-like Au/SiO2 nanocomposite particles with high catalytic activity towards reduction of p-nitrophenol

A convenient method based on the inverse miniemulsion technique was proposed to prepare raspberry-like Au/SiO 2 nanocomposite particles (NCPs). HAuCl 4 was incorporated into porous SiO 2 nano-supports through a sol–gel process of a silica precursor in inverse miniemulsions. Raspberry-like Au/SiO 2 NCPs were subsequently obtained through in situ reduction of the incorporated HAuCl 4 by hydrazine at the surface of SiO 2 nano-supports. Most of Au nanoparticles (NPs) were half-embedded in the SiO 2 nano-supports and were covered by a thin layer of porous SiO 2 , offering a good morphological stability to the Au/SiO 2 NCPs. The content of Au NPs of the Au/SiO 2 NCPs could be adjusted by the loading of HAuCl 4 . The influences of the HAuCl 4 loading on the particle size and particle morphology of the Au/SiO 2 NCPs, the pore properties of the SiO 2 nano-supports, as well as the properties of the Au NPs were systematically investigated. The formation mechanism of the raspberry-like Au/SiO 2 NCPs was discussed. All the synthesized Au/SiO 2 NCPs displayed a high catalytic activity towards the reduction of p -nitrophenol.