Formation dynamics of reverse micelles and nanosized effects that accompany chemical reduction of silver nanoparticles in them

Dynamic light scattering has been employed to study the time evolution of a sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate/isooctane/water/quercetin/AgNO₃ system during the formation of reverse micelles (RMs), as well as water solubilization and formation of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) in them. It has been shown that physicochemical processes occurring in the reverse micellar system lead to the formation of light-scattering elements with average sizes of 0.67?2 nm (individual molecules of the surfactant and reductant), 2.5?4.5 nm (“dry” RMs) and 16?20 nm (RMs containing Ag NPs). The synthesis is accompanied by the formation of silver NPs with other sizes in an amount of less than 5%.