Abstract

Mesoporous silica powders and films modified with organic sensitizer benzophenone were used as photocatalysts in the reaction of silver ion reduction by isopropyl alcohol under UV-irradiation with λ= 253.7 nm and 365 nm in presence of colloidal silica as stabilizer. Morphological changes of silver colloids during irradiation were studied using transmission electron microscopy, and correlated to the absorption spectra.