Mussel-inspired self-assembly of silver nanoclusters into multifunctional silver aerogels for enhanced catalytic and bactericidal applications.

ABSTRACT: Silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) have shown broad application prospects in catalysis, sensing, and biological fields. However, the limited stability of AgNCs has become the main challenge restricting their practical application in complex environments. Herein, a mussel-inspired, dopamine-assisted self-assembly approach is reported to fabricate 3D AgNC aerogels (PDA/AgNCs), which possess significantly enhanced structural stability and synergistic functional properties. The prepared AgNC aerogels display a hierarchical network structure with an ultrafine ligament size of 10.3 ± 1.2 nm and a high specific surface area of 50.7 m² g^-1. The gelation mechanism is elucidated by in-depth characterization and time-lapse monitoring of the gelation process vis spectroscopic and micros

SUBMITTER: Gao Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11875448 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature