A new synthesis of well-dispersed, core-shell Ag@SiO2 mesoporous nanoparticles using amino acids and sugars.

Mesoporous silica-coated silver nanoparticles (Ag@MSN) were prepared by a two step synthesis in an environment friendly way. Arginine and glucose were used as a catalyst for the formation of silica and as a reducing agent for silver ions, respectively, in the presence of a cationic surfactant. Ag@MSNs having single Ag nanoparticles as cores were obtained with good selectivity. They showed excellent dispersibility in ethanol, forming a uniform coating on a glass substrate. Their antibacterial activity against E. coli was demonstrated.