Synthesis of Cu core Ag shell nanoparticles using chemical reduction method

Abstract

A simple chemical reduction method is used to prepare colloidal bimetallic Cu-Ag core-shell (Cu@Ag) nanoparticles. Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) was used as capping agent, and ascorbic acid (C6H8O6) and sodium borohydride (NaBH4) were used as reducing agents. The obtained Cu@Ag nanoparticles were characterized by powder x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-vis spectrophotometry. The influence of [Ag]/[Cu] molar ratios on the formation of Ag coatings on the Cu particles was investigated. From the TEM results we found that the ratio [Ag+]/[Cu2+] = 0.2 is the best for the stability of Cu@Ag nanoparticles with an average size of 22 nm. It is also found out that adding ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) makes the obtained Cu@Ag nanoparticles more stable over time when pure deionized water is used as solvent.