Photo-induced chemical reduction of silver bromide to silver nanoparticles

This paper discusses the experimental results of the production of nanocolloidal silver using photoreduction method. Ultrafine crystalline gelatine-stabilised aqueous suspensions of silver bromide were used as a substrate for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). The influences of the reductant to substrate molar ratio, the medium’s pH, the type of the source of actinic radiation and the time of exposure to the efficient production of the Ag NPs were studied. A typical reaction was suggested, which involves the photo-induced reduction of silver bromide nanocrystals in the presence of ascorbic acid under specified physicochemical conditions. The properties of resultant silver particles were examined using UV-Vis spectroscopy and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). In addition, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) was used for imaging the silver nanoparticle suspensions.