Synthesis of silver nanocomposites by SCF impregnation of matrices of synthetic opal and Vycor glass by the Ag(hfac)COD precursor

Silver-containing nanocomposites were prepared by impregnating Vycor glass (a pore diameter of 4 nm) and synthesized opal matrices (an interstitial void size of 40 nm) with cyclooctadiene complex of silver hexafluoroacetylacetonate (Ag(hfac)COD), a silver precursor, dissolved in supercritical carbon dioxide and were examined by optical absorption spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and electron spin-resonance spectroscopy. It was demonstrated that the absorption spectra of Vycor glass and opal matrices impregnated with Ag(hfac)COD molecules and subjected to thermal treatment in air at temperatures above 50°C exhibit plasmon resonances characteristic of Ag nanoparticles at 420–430 nm. The peculiarities of the plasmon resonance band for both types of samples were attributed to the morphology of the pore space in which silver particles are formed. Paramagnetic Cu(hfac)2 molecules (copper hexafluoroacetylacetonate) were used as a spectroscopic probe for estimating the distribution of the precursor in the pores of Vycor glass and opal matrices during supercritical fluid impregnation.