Formation and stabilization of silver nanoparticles in ethanol by phosphinic acid

Abstract

Although phosphinic acid (H 3 PO 2) has a powerful reduction potential, the reduction of silver ions by phosphinic acid salt has not yet been reported. In this work, colloidal silver has successfully synthesized by reducing silver ions in ethanol with phosphinic acid as a reducing agent. The effects of [AgNO 3 ]/[H 3 PO 2 ] ratios and reaction temperature were considered. Spherical silver nanoparticles with cubic structure were successfully prepared and their diameters were measured to be 8.5±0.9 nm-11.3±0.2 nm. Half-life analysis showed that the reduction of silver ions proceeded with the reaction order of 1.30 on concentration of phosphinic acid and activation energy of 120.7 kJ/mol.