Size-control of small metal clusters and nanoparticles in zeolites: silver and copper in mordenites with variable SiO_2/Al_2O_3 molar ratio

摘要

Zeolites with less-than-nanometer cavities within the regular crystal lattice incorporate silver and copper species produced by the hydrogen reduction of the ion-exchanged matrices. The metals were stabilized within the mordenite in the form of both few-atomic clusters and nanoparticles (< 50 nm). The clusters and nanoparticles were discovered by means of diffuse nanoparticles (< 50 nm). The clusters and nanoparticles were discovered by means of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). Their contribution into optical absorption was calculated by the Mie theory for nanoparticles and with the quantum chemical ab initio MOLCAO method for small clusters.