Silver Silica Core Shell Nanoparticles (Ag/SiO2, 99.9%, APS: 80-100nm, Metal Core)

Silver Silica Core-Shell Nanoparticles

Silver Silica core-shell nanoparticles  are a class of composite nanomaterials where silver (Ag) serves as the core and silica (SiO₂) forms the shell. This core-shell structure combines the excellent properties of both materials—silver’s plasmonic and antimicrobial features, and silica’s mechanical strength, stability, and biocompatibility—making these nanoparticles highly versatile for a wide range of applications, particularly in the fields of biomedicine, electronics, environmental science, and catalysis.

Applications

Biomedical Applications

Drug Delivery and Targeted Therapy: The silica shell in Ag-SiO₂ nanoparticles can be functionalized with a wide range of biomolecules (e.g., antibodies, peptides, or drugs) to enable targeted drug delivery to specific cells or tissues, such as cancer cells. The biocompatibility of silica ensures that the nanoparticles are non-toxic and safe for use in medical treatments. The silver core can provide localized antimicrobial properties, which may help in preventing infection or promoting wound healing. The release of therapeutic agents from the nanoparticles can be controlled, providing an effective platform for controlled drug release and targeted therapy.

Electronics and Photonics

Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS): Silver-silica core-shell nanoparticles are frequently used in SERS applications due to the strong plasmonic enhancement provided by the silver core. When used as substrates for Raman spectroscopy, Ag-SiO₂ nanoparticles can dramatically enhance the Raman signal of nearby molecules, allowing for ultra-sensitive detection of trace amounts of chemicals or biological molecules. This makes them valuable tools for chemical analysis, environmental monitoring, and biomolecular detection.

Plasmonic Devices: The strong optical properties of silver nanoparticles, combined with the stability provided by the silica shell, make Ag-SiO₂ nanoparticles ideal candidates for plasmonic devices. These nanoparticles can be used in applications such as optical sensors, plasmonic waveguides, and light-harvesting systems. Their ability to focus and manipulate light at the nanoscale opens up possibilities for a variety of photonics applications, including biophotonics and plasmonic enhanced solar cells.

Catalysis

Catalysis in Organic Reactions: Silver is an effective catalyst for a range of organic reactions, including oxidation, reduction, and hydrogenation. The Ag-SiO₂ nanoparticles can be used as heterogeneous catalysts in various catalytic processes, such as the reduction of organic compounds or the oxidation of alcohols. The silica shell provides a stable support for the silver core, preventing aggregation and maintaining the catalytic activity over multiple cycles. The high surface area of the silica shell further enhances the catalytic efficiency by providing more active sites for reactions.

Environmental Catalysis: Ag-SiO₂ core-shell nanoparticles can also be used for environmental applications, such as wastewater treatment and air purification. The silver core can degrade harmful organic pollutants, while the silica shell can provide adsorption sites for removing toxic substances from the environment. The photocatalytic properties of silver also make these nanoparticles useful for photodegradation of pollutants under UV or visible light.