Silver nanoparticles: Influence of the temperature synthesis on the particles' morphology

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles have a wide range of applications in the medical field, textile and food industries. These and other applications can be found due to the relation between its size and morphology. In this study the influence of bath temperature on the morphology and size of silver nanoparticles are evaluated, which are obtained by chemical reduction of AgNO3 using three reducing agents: sodium borohydride, ascorbic acid and sodium citrate. The evaluation carried out by the traditional UV-vis Spectrophotometric analysis and with High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy. The UV-vis spectrum of the silver colloids obtained by chemical reduction using three different reducing agents shows the effect of the temperature change on the growing and aggregative process. The final effect on the morphology, size and aggregation of the particles was confirmed by TEM. The result suggests a change in the growing mechanism, conducted by aggregation of atoms at 5 and 20°C degrees and aggregation of clusters at higher temperatures. Moreover in this work the main synthesis methods of nanomaterials are described.