The stabilization of nanodisperse silver in a sulfo cation exchanger

Silver-ion exchanger (electron ion exchanger, EI) composites with equivalent silver and hydrogen counterion contents were prepared by chemical deposition. Microscopic and X-ray data showed that silver nanoparticles and their ensembles isolated from each other and stabilized by a polymeric matrix were formed. Contact of Ag⁰-EI in the H⁺ form with solutions of silver salts caused the occurrence of two processes, ion exchange and metal recrystallization. These processes were interrelated because they involved one common particle, the silver counterion. Recrystallization proceeded by the electron-ion mechanism, but, because of matrix isolation of silver particles, electron transfer occurred inside separate structural elements (ensembles of particles) rather than over the whole composite volume. The transfer of silver ions largely occurred over ionogenic matrix centers, which substantially decreased their mobility. The low electronic conductivity of the composite and limited mobility of counterions were charge stabilization factors, which hindered recrystallization and, along with matrix stabilization, contributed to the retention of nanosized silver particles.