Synthesis and characterization of silver nano-particles

The Ag nano-particles were synthesized via chemical route, with sodium hypophosphite ((NaPO3)6) as the reduction agent and AgNO3 as the Ag source. The impacts of the synthesis conditions, including the molar ratio of the reductant and oxidant, pH value, type of dispersion agent, and temperature, on the microstructures of the Ag nano-particles were experimentally evaluated. The microstructures and catalytic property of the Ag particles were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The highly-pure near-spherical Ag nano-particles (18 nm in average diameter), with fairly strong catalytic activity, were synthesized under the optimized conditions: a molar ratio of 5, a pH value of 6, a temperature of 50°C, and a disperser of (NaPO3)6.