Macroporous silver monoliths using a simple surfactant

An elegant method to synthesize porous silver monoliths using a simple surfactant cum reductant, Triton X-114, as the sacrificial template is described. The gel forming property of the surfactant with silver nitrate is utilized to make the porous framework. The monoliths obtained with a mixture of Triton X-114 and dextran have also been examined. A significant improvement in the pore structure was observed when Triton X-114 was used along with Ludox silica sol, followed by calcination and HF treatment. The presence of interparticle pores in the 20–25nm range on the macroporous silver framework suggests the role of silica spheres in the nanopore formation.