Size and Dispersion Characteristics of Silver Nanoparticles Prepared Using Liquid Phase Reduction Method

Abstract

Abstract This work investigates the size and dispersion characteristics of silver nanoparticles synthesized by a liquidphase reduction method using PAA. The experimental variables were the molecular weight and doses of the PAA,reducing agent, dispersant, and organic solvent (ethanol-acetone). UV-visible spectrophotometer results confirm the formation of the silver particles, and SEM indicates size in the nanometer range. As the ultrasonication time increases,there is a tendency toward smaller agglomerates of nanoparticles. The agglomerates were dispersed into 1-5 agglomerates of particles by ultrasonication for 3 hours or more. Relatively spherical nanoparticles were produced witha completely homogeneous dispersion and size of 49.56-85.75 nm by ultrasonication using BYK-192, a dispersant containing copolymer with a pigment affinic group. The average size of the silver nanoparticles was increased to 36.82, 50.66, and 56.06 nm with increasing molecular weight of PAA. Also, the size of the nanoparticles increasedwith the capping of PAA on the surfaces of the nanoparticles when increasing the amount of PAA. The addition ofhydrazine as a reducing agent produced relatively small particles because many nuclei were created by the reductionreaction. The ethanol-acetone solvent helped with the regular arrangement of the silver nanoparticles