A surface modification scheme for incorporation of nanocrystals in mesoporous silica matrix

A simple surface modification scheme is proposed to introduce various nanocrystals including oil-soluble Au nanocrystals, water-soluble Au nanocrystals and magnetic γ-Fe2O3 nanocrystals into mesoporous silica matrix. Disordered mesostructured cellular foam (MCF) and well-ordered FDU-12 were used as matrix materials. Surface modification of mesoporous silica with particular ligands enhanced the interaction between the matrix and nanocrystals, thereby facilitating the incorporation. High loading (up to 20% in weight) and uniform distribution of nanocrystals in mesopores were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The physical and chemical properties of nanocrystals were well maintained during this process. Moreover, the obtained composites were still highly porous with pore volume more than 1.0 cm3/g, as evidenced by N2 adsorption experiments.