Synthesis, Characterization, and Utilization of Single Crystalline Nanoparticles of Silver

Abstract

This paper describes a procedure based on the Tollens’ process for preparing crystalline nanoparticles of silver with well-controlled, uniform sizes. The starting reagents are similar to those commonly used for electroless deposition of silver and are commercially available from the Peacock Laboratories (Philadelphia, PA). Only under appropriate conditions, mixing of these reagents was able to generate stable dispersions of silver colloids, rather than thin films of silver coated on surfaces of objects immersed in the solution (including the inner surface of the container). We have demonstrated the capability and feasibility of this method by forming stable dispersions of highly monodispersed, single crystalline colloids of silver with dimensions in the range of 20-50 nm.