Controllable integration of ultrasmall noble metal nanoparticles into mesoporous silica matrixes by a self-assembly method

Noble metal nanoparticles smaller than 2 nm were immobilized inside the channels of mesoporous silica via a self-assembly method using cetyltrimethylammonium chloride as a structural directing agent. This general approach can be used for integration of various precious metals into mesoporous silica matrixes of ∼30 nm to achieve better matter utilisation and higher catalytic activity. Various noble metal nanoparticles smaller than 2 nm were immobilized into spherical mesoporous silica (30 nm) via a self-assembly method.