Solvent effect on the structure of composite films obtained from chitosan solutions with a precursor of silver nanoparticles

The solvent effect on the structure of nanocomposite films cast from chitosan solutions with AgNO₃ as a precursor of silver nanoparticles was studied for the first time. The size and concentration of silver nanoparticles in the chitosan matrix can be controlled by varying the chitosan-dissolving ability of the solvent with carbonic acid.     

Preparation of polyimide/BaTiO3/Ag nanocomposite films via in situ technique and study of their dielectric behavior

Triphase polyimide nanocomposite films were fabricated using barium titanate （BaTiO3） with high dielectric constant and silver （Ag） with high conductivity as fillers. In situ method was utilized to obtain the homogeneous dispersion of nanoparticles. The in situ polymerization of polyimide precursor-poly（amic acid） was performed in the presence of BaTiO3 particles. Silver compound 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,4-pentadionato silver（I） was added into the BaTiO3 containing poly（amic acid） solution to achieve silver nanoparticles via in situ self metallization technique. The thermally induced reduction converted silver （I） to metallic silver with concomitant imidization of poly（amic acid） to polyimide. Both BaTiO3 and silver nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed in the polyimide substrate. The dependence of dielectric behavior on the BaTiO3 and Ag contents was studied. The incorporation of small amount of silver nanoparticles greatly increased dielectric constant of composite films.     

Oleic acid-assisted phase transfer of nanosized silver colloids

In this study, it is demonstrated that silver nanoparticles can be transferred from formamide to chloroform using oleic acid as a phase transfer agent with a transfer efficiency of 90–95%. The silver nanoparticles are initially formed as an organosol by the reduction of silver ions with formamide. On aging the complex, the particles self-assemble to form an ordered close-packed two-dimensional array of silver nanocrystals when dissolved in CHCl₃. The size distribution of the colloidal silver particles after transfer in different solvents remains almost the same. On the basis of IR spectroscopy, we discuss the adsorption of oleic acid over the silver particles.     

Electrocatalytic dechlorination of chloroacetic acids by silver nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode

A simple potentiostatic method was employed to prepare silver nanoparticles deposited on glassy carbon electrode. The silver nanoparticles exhibit extraordinary electrocatalytic activities toward the reduction process of chloroacetic acids. The electrochemical behavior of trichloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, and monochloroacetic acid has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry at the silver nanoparticles-modified glassy carbon electrode in 0.1 M LiClO₄ solution; each compound exhibits a series of reduction peaks which represent sequential dechlorination steps up to acetic acid. The electrocatalytic dechlorination mechanism for chloroacetic acids was also discussed in this work.     

A Simple and Fast Aqueous‐Phase Synthesis of Ultra‐Highly Concentrated Silver Nanoparticles and Their Catalytic Properties

A simple and fast synthetic route to ultra‐highly concentrated silver nanoparticles with long‐term stability by reducing AgNO₃ with ascorbic acid in the presence of polyethyleneimine (PEI) as a stabilizer in an aqueous phase is reported. The concentration of silver precursor was as high as 2000 mm (200 g of Ag nanoparticle per liter of water) and the reaction time was less than 10 min. The resulting silver nanoparticles show long‐term stability after two months of storage at room temperature without any signs of particle aggregation or precipitation in an aqueous phase. The successful ligand exchange of PEI‐stabilized silver nanoparticles to polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) without particle aggregation is also demonstrated. In addition, the catalytic activities of silver nanoparticles stabilized by various stabilizers prepared by the ligand exchange method was investigated. The PEI‐stabilized silver nanoparticles exhibited a higher stability than those of PEG‐ and PVP‐stabilized silver nanoparticles in the diffusion‐controlled catalytic reduction of 4‐nitrophenol to 4‐aminophenol by NaBH₄.     

Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles by Bacillus stratosphericus Spores and the Role of Dipicolinic Acid in This Process

Seeking for simple, rapid, and environmental-friendly routes to produce metal nanoparticles is quite attractive for various biotechnological applications. Biological synthesis method of silver nanoparticles has been found very promising due to their non-toxicity and simplicity. Here, the spores of Bacillus stratosphericus isolated from soil enriched with 30 % H₂O₂ were used for the production of silver nanoparticles. Furthermore, the possible mechanism of silver nanoparticle synthesis by the spores was elucidated for the first time. In this regard, dipicolinic acid (DPA) was shown to play a critical role as a nanoparticle-producing agent. UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction technique, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the nanoparticles. Unlike vegetative cells of B. stratosphericus, the spores and the purified DPA were capable of producing nanoparticles from silver nitrate (AgNO₃). These biogenic nanoparticles, which were highly toxic against different pathogenic bacteria, showed mixed structures including spherical, triangular, cubic, and hexagonal with the approximate size between 2 and 20 nm in diameter. Our results illustrated the role of dipicolinic acid as a main factor for the synthesis of nanoparticles by the bacterial spores.     

柠檬酸辅助可控制备花状银粒子及其表面增强拉曼散射性能

以抗坏血酸为还原剂,柠檬酸为结构导向剂,一步还原硝酸银,合成了尺寸和形状可调的花状银颗粒。纳米粒子的粒径可在600～1 200 nm范围内调整,表面突起可达到10～25 nm。柠檬酸的化学性质在银纳米粒子合成多级花状银结构的过程中起着至关重要的作用。通过改变柠檬酸或抗坏血酸溶液的用量,银结构的各向异性形貌可以很容易地调节。以制备的多级花状银颗粒作为表面增强拉曼散射(SERS)基底,对浓度为10~(-10)mol·L~(-1)的罗丹明6G(R6G)仍具有较高的检测灵敏度。     

Stabilization of silver nanoparticles with copolymers of maleic acid

Silver nanoparticles are obtained by reducing AgNO₃ with sodium borohydride in an aqueous solution in the presence of maleic acid copolymers with ethylene, N-vinylpyrrolidone, or styrene, as well as their octadecylamide group-containing hydrophobized derivatives, as dispersants. The influence of the structural features of the dicarboxylic acid copolymers on the silver nanoparticle formation process and the conditions for producing sols containing spherical nanoparticles with sizes of 1.5–3.5 nm (according to the data of transmission electron microscopy) are determined. It is shown that, at the equimolar copolymer/silver cation ratio, the morphology of resulting silver nanoparticles weakly depends on the nature of comonomers of maleic acid and the presence of hydrophobic fragments, which play an auxiliary role in the stabilization of dispersions of nanoparticles by increasing their stability with respect to ionic strength and oxidation. Evolution of the particle sizes in the system is monitored beginning with copolymer solutions to silver sols by the methods of light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. According to the light scattering data, copolymers and their complexes with silver ions in solutions are partly aggregated at concentrations corresponding to the conditions of nanosilver synthesis. Silver sols are shown to contain stabilized nanoparticles, which represent core-polyelectrolyte corona-type micelles and micellar clusters with polyelectrolyte coronas.     

Studies of electrochemical quantized capacitance charging of surface ensembles of silver nanoparticles

CTAB-stabilized silver nanoparticles were synthesized by NaBH₄ reduction. The as-prepared nanoparticles can be self-assembled on 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) modified gold electrode, which was supported strongly by XPS measurements. Exceptional long-term stability of the as-prepared colloidal silver aqueous solution and the desorption of silver nanoparticle ensemble on MPA after alcohol rinsing proved that these CTAB molecules adsorbed on silver core formed interdigitated bilayer structure. DPV and differential capacitance measurements were performed to characterize the as-prepared silver nanoparticle ensemble, and the interesting quantized capacitance charging behaviors were observed.     

Preparation and characterization of silver colloids with different morphologies under ultrasonic field

In the ultrasonic field, stable silver colloids were produced by the reduction of AgNO₃ with the protection of PVP using KBH₄ or N₂H₄·H₂O as reductant. The main factors affecting the morphology of silver nanoparticles, such as distribution of the ultrasonic field, ultrasonic time, ultrasonic power, and the species of reductant, were studied. The silver colloids were identified by TEM and spectrophotometry. The results indicate that the factors such as distribution of the ultrasonic field, ultrasonic time, ultrasonic power, and the species of reductant have a great impact on the morphology of the silver nanoparticles. The size of the silver nanoparticles decreases with the ultrasonic power and ultrasonic time increasing. Ag nanoparticles prepared in standing wave field preferentially grow in a certain direction, which is propitious for forming hexagonal-and spherical-like silver nanoparticles. Monodispersed spherical silver nanoparticles are easily synthesized in the diffusion field. The stability of silver colloid becomes improved by ultrasonic treatment. For example, precipitate is not found after several weeks for the silver colloid prepared with an ultrasonic treatment time of 180 min. The silver nanoparticles prepared without ultrasonic treatment are large spherical-like and hexagonal. Well-dispersed spherical silver particles with a mean size of about 20 nm have been prepared under ultrasonic treatment. Spherical, spherical-like, and hexagonal silver nanoparticles can be obtained by changing the reductants. __________ Translated from Journal of Tianjin University, 2006, 39(1) (in Chinese)     

Chemical interactions between silver nanoparticles and thiols: a comparison of mercaptohexanol against cysteine

The interaction between citrate capped silver nanoparticles and two different thiols, mercaptohexanol(MH) and cysteine, was investigated. The thiols interacted with silver nanoparticles in a significantly contrasting manner. With MH, a sparingly soluble silver(I) thiolate complex AgSRm(Rm = –(CH2)6OH) was formed on the silver nanoparticle surface. Cyclic voltammograms and UV-vis spectra were used to infer that the AgSRm complex on the nanoparticle surface undergoes a phase transition to give a mixture of AgSRm and Ag2S-like complexes. In contrast, when silver nanoparticles were exposed to cysteine, the citrate capping agent on the silver nanoparticles was replaced by cysteine to give cysteine capped nanoparticles. As cysteine capped nanoparticles form, the electrochemical data displayed a decrease in oxidative peak charge but the UV-vis spectra showed a constant signal. Therefore, cysteine capped nanoparticles were suggested to have either inactivated the silver surface or else promoted detachment from the electrode surface.     

Synthesis of highly stable silver nanoparticles using imidazolium-based ionic liquid

Highly stable, aqueous dispersions, and hydrophilic ionic liquid-capped silver nanoparticles with positive surface charge were synthesized by in situ reduction of AgNO₃ with NaBH₄ in the presence of an imidazolium-based ionic liquid, viz., 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C₁₂mim][Cl]) at room temperature. Prepared silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV–vis spectra, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and zeta potential. UV–visible spectrum of the aqueous medium peaked at 407 nm corresponding to the plasmon absorbance of silver nanoparticles. TEM analysis revealed the spherical shape of the particles with sizes about 9 nm and low polydispersed. The surface charge of the synthesized silver nanoparticles was determined as +5.0 mV. The ionic liquid ([C₁₂mim][Cl]) capped silver nanoparticles were stable for at least 8 months.     

Synthesis and size control of silver nanoparticles using reverse micelles of sucrose fatty acid esters

Silver nanoparticles were prepared in reverse micelles of sucrose fatty acid esters. The TEM image showed that the obtained silver nanoparticles displayed a wide variety of shapes. The size of silver nanoparticles was strongly dependent upon a kind of reducing agents and tended to increase with an increase in reaction temperature. Moreover, the size of silver nanoparticles was controlled by using sucrose fatty acids at a different esterification degree or by mixing sucrose fatty acid monoesters with polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid monoesters. The resultant silver colloid could be preserved for at least 1 month without precipitation.     

Thermochemicstry of the oxidative dissolution of silver nanoparticles in AOT reverse micelles

A procedure has been developed for thermochemical studies of two types of silver nanoparticles: coagulated nanoparticles in isolated nanopowders and unbound nanoparticles enclosed in micelles. The first type of nanoparticle was obtained and studied after destroying micelles. The heats and rates of dissolution of unbound nanoparticles (i.e., nanoparticles enclosed in micelles and involved in Brownian motion together with the latter) were determined by reacting them with nitric acid solubilized in micelle systems of the same composition. The heats of solution of Ag⁰ in HNO₃ found for isolated nanopowders were ?10 × (1 ± 0.3) kJ/mol; they were close to the results obtained for bulk samples under the same conditions. The heats of solution of nanoparticles in micelles were estimated at ?(17–25) kJ/mol. The dissolution rates of silver nanoparticles in micelles as functions of micelle composition were two to three times the dissolution rates of isolated nanopowders.     

Green Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using ‘Polygonum Hydropiper’ and Study its Catalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue

The green synthesis of silver nanoparticles with the small size and high stability paved the way to improve and protect the environment by decreasing the use of toxic chemicals and eliminating biological risks in biomedical applications. Plant mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles is gaining more importance owing its simplicity, rapid rate of synthesis of nanoparticles and eco-friendliness. In this study, focus on biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Polygonum hydropiper extract and its catalytic degradation of hazardous dye, methylene blue has been highlighted. The rapid reduction of silver (Ag) ions was monitored using UV-Visible spectrophotometer and showed formation of silver nanoparticles within less than one hour with maximum absorption of silver nanoparticles at 430 nm. The major functional groups present in the synthesis responsible for the formation of silver nanoparticles. It was identified by using Fourier Transform Infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR). Field Electron Scanning Microscope (FESEM) was used to characterise the nanoparticles synthesized using P.hydropiper. The morphology of silver nanoparticles was predominantly spherical and aggregated into irregular structure with average diameter of 60 nm. In addition, this report emphasizes the effect of the silver nanoparticles on the degradation rate of hazardous dyes by sodium borohydride (NaBH₄). The efficiency of silver nanoparticles as a promising candidate for the catalysis of organic dyes by NaBH₄ through the electron transfer process is established in the present study.     

Preparation of Pt<Subscript>core</Subscript>Ag<Subscript>shell</Subscript> nanoparticles: Catalytic reduction of Ag<Superscript>+</Superscript> ions by hydrogen

It is shown that the saturation of an aqueous solution containing silver ions with hydrogen in the presence of 9.5-nm platinum nanoparticles leads to the reduction of silver and the formation of Pt_coreAg_shell bimetal nanoparticles. An increase in the concentration of silver ions gives rise to a number of elementary silver layers that cover the platinum core. It is established that the concentration of silver ions does not substantially affect the rate of the formation of a silver shell on the surface of platinum nanoparticles.     

The reduction process of phytic acid–silver ion system: A pulse radiolysis study

Reduction of silver ion in a silver–phytic acid (1:1 ratio) system has been studied using pulse radiolysis technique. Time-resolved transformation of the intermediates, Ag⁺→Ag⁰→Ag₂⁺→Ag₃²⁺, has been clearly observed in the reduction of silver–phytic acid (1:1) system. The effect of phytic acid on the formation and decay of initial silver clusters has been also studied. The surface plasmon absorption band of stable silver nanoparticle (410 nm) and dynamic light scattering technique has been used to characterize the nanoparticles and measure the average size (R_av=100 nm).     

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles by pepper extracts reduction and its electocatalytic and antibacterial activity

Stable silver nanoparticles were synthesized with the aid of a novel, non-toxic, eco-friendly biological material namely, green pepper extract. The aqueous pepper extract was used for reducing silver nitrate. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were analyzed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). TEM image shows the formation of silver nanoparticles with average particle size of 20 nm which agrees well with the XRD data. The main advantage of using pepper extract as a stabilizing agent is that it provides long-term stability for nanoparticles by preventing particles agglomeration. To investigate the electrocatalytic efficiency of silver nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles modified carbon-paste electrode (AgNPs–CPE) displayed excellent electrochemical catalytic activities towards hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The reduction overpotential of H₂O₂ was decreased significantly compared with those obtained at the bare CPE. An abrupt increase of the cathodic current for HER was observed at modified electrode. Also, the antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticle was performed using Escherichia coli and Salmonellae. The approach of plant-mediated synthesis appears to be cost efficient, eco-friendly and easy methods.     

In situ formation of silver nanoparticles within an amphiphilic graft copolymer film

Silver nanoparticles were prepared by UV irradiation from silver salts, such as AgBF₄ or AgNO₃, when dissolved in an amphiphilic film of poly((oxyethylene)₉ methacrylate)‐graft‐poly((dimethyl siloxane)_n methacrylate), POEM‐g‐mPDMS. The in situ formation of silver nanoparticles in the graft copolymer film was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV‐visible spectroscopy, and wide angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS). The results demonstrated that the use of AgBF₄ yielded silver nanoparticles with a smaller size (～5 nm) and narrower particle distribution when compared with AgNO₃. The formation of silver nanoparticles was explained in terms of the interaction strength of the silver ions with the ether oxygens of POEM, as revealed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was thus concluded that a stronger interaction of silver ions with the ether oxygens results in a more stable formation of silver nanoparticles, which produces uniform and small‐sized nanoparticles. DSC and small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) data also showed the selective incorporation and in situ reduction of the silver ions within the hydrophilic POEM domains. Excellent mechanical properties of the nanocomposite films (3–5 × 10⁵ dyn/cm²) were observed, mostly because of the confinement of silver nanoparticles in the POEM chains as well as interfaces created by the microphase separation of the graft copolymer film. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 1283–1290, 2007     

Densities and compressibilities of aqueous sodium carbonate and bicarbonate from 0 to 45°C

The densities and the sound speeds of aqueous NaHCO₃ and Na₂CO₃ solutions were measured from 0.05 to 1.0m and from 0 to 45°C. These data were fitted to functions of molality and temperature and were used to calculate the apparent molal volumes V_? and compressibilites κ_φ of these solutions. Polynomial expression for V_? and κ_φ as functions of molality and temperature have been determined. The partial molal volumes and compressibilities of these solutions and literature data have been used to determine the volume ΔV and compressibility Δκ changes for the ionization of carbonic acid in aqueous solutions. These values of ΔV and Δκ have been used to estimate the effect of pressure on the ionization constants for carbonic acid from 0 to 45°C. The calculated pressure coefficients are in good agreement with the measured values.