Synthesis and Characterization of the Pd/SiO₂ Nanocomposite by the Sol-Gel Method

Abstract

The silica supported palladium nano particle were synthesized by using the sol-gel method. The possibility of using palladium (II) nitrate dehydrates as Pd precursor and effect of metal precursor concentration on the final Pd nanoparticle size was investigated. A stable silica sol was prepared via hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as a metal alchoxide and condensation reaction.Subsequently, Palladium (II) nitrate dehydrates was added to sol to form the Pd/silica sol. After drying and calcination of the sol, the Pd/SiO 2 nanocpmposite has been obtained. Crystallographic information and crystalline size of the synthesized Pd/SiO 2 were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. Morphology of the nanoparticles and hydrogen-bonding interaction between silanol groups and amine ligands were characterized by SEM and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, respectively. Finally, the distribution and size of the palladium nanoparticles in the silica was evaluated.