Electrochemical Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles: A Review

Abstract

Electrochemical synthesis of metal nanoparticles (MNPs) is a direction of nanoscience and nanotechnology intensively developing in recent decades. This is due to a number of technological advantages of this method, namely, obtaining metal nanoparticles of high purity with the controlled formation of their geometry, the absence of chemical reducing agents, and, accordingly, ensuring the “green” synthesis. This work presents an analysis of the references on the synthesis of metal nanoparticles by electrolysis in aqueous solutions, non-aqueous medium–ionic liquids, and organic aprotic solvents. A modern interpretation of the mechanism of the nucleation and of the formation of MNPs is given. The main factors, particularly the nature of metals, electrolyte composition, electrolysis parameters determining the geometry of nanoparticles, and their size distribution, were analyzed. Attention is focused on the influence of the nature and concentration of surfactants on the formation of nanoparticles and their stabilization. Features of the electrochemical synthesis of metal nanoparticles (silver, gold, platinum, and non-ferrous metals) in aqueous solutions and in the non-aqueous medium are described. The main areas of application of electrochemically synthesized metal nanoparticles are given.