Structural investigation of hetero-structured core-shell silver-silica hybrid as a potential agro-sensor material

Investigation into the novel synthesis and structural properties of Heterostructured core shell Silver-Silica (AgSiO2) Nanohybrid is reported herein, for possible utilization as humidity sensing material in Agricultural post-harvest humidity monitoring system and greenhouse farming. The Heterostructured nanoparticles (Ag and SiO2) were synthesized via a chemical reduction method. Structural characterizations were done using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), UV-Visible spectroscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and N2 adsorption-desorption techniques. The XRD diffractogram of Ag-SiO2 showed distinct peaks at 2? values of 390, 430, 660 and 790 which was corroborated by the SEM and HRTEM results. EDX convincingly confirmed Ag and SiO2 incorporation into the Ag-SiO2 nanocomposite hetero-structure at 16.7 % and 83.3 % respectively. A Surface Plasmon Resonance absorption peak of 421 nm of Ag was revealed by UV-Visible spectroscopic analysis. An effective and relatively narrow pore size distributions of 3 – 8 nm was revealed by N2 adsorption-desorption for the Ag-SiO2 Nanocomposite. Overall, these properties are promising for effective use as humidity sensing material.