Templated Synthesis and Structural Study of Densely Packed Metal Nanostructures in MCM-41 and MCM-48

A template synthetic method to prepare densely packed metal nanostructures in functionalized (MCM)-41 and MCM-48 is described. The intrachannel surface of host silica has been functionalized to carry positive charges for the accommodation of highly concentrated and negatively charged metal complexes. After reduction, Au and Pt nanowire bundles in MCM-41 as well as Pd nanowire networks in MCM-48 are formed. The Pt nanowire bundles in MCM-41 are observed to grow along a preferred direction and stack along Pt {111} planes relative to the pore wall of the host. Furthermore, bimetallic AuPt alloy nanowire bundles in MCM-41 have also been prepared and characterized.