One-step synthesis of copper nanoparticles containing mesoporous silica by nanocasting of binuclear copper(II) complexes with cyclodextrins

Binuclear copper(II) complexes with cyclodextrins were used as templates for the generation of nanodisperse inorganic-organic hybrid materials. Calcination of these hybrid composites results in one-step to mesoporous silicas with incorporated copper nanoparticles. The average pore size of these silicas was characterized to be between 6-8 nm, whereas the characteristic size of the copper or copper oxide nanoparticles is very small and below the detection limit. These supported copper particles could find applications in heterogeneous catalysis.