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The diverse shapes of silver nanoparticles: Why are scientists so fascinated?
Silver nanoparticles refer to silver particles with a size between 1 nanometer and 100 nanometers. Although often described as "silver", many silver nanoparticles actually contain a higher proportion of silver oxide due to a very high ratio between surface atoms and bulk coupled atoms. Depending on the needs of their application, scientists can construct nanoparticles in a variety of shapes. The most common form is spherical, but there are also shapes such as diamonds, octagons, and flakes. The large surface area of these nanoparticles allows them to adsorb a large number of ligands, allowing them to trap various molecules.
The potential of silver nanoparticles to treat human disease is being explored through laboratory and animal studies to assess their effectiveness, biosafety and biodistribution.
There are many methods for preparing silver nanoparticles, the most common of which is the wet chemical method. In this process, silver ion complexes such as AgNO3 or AgClO4 are usually used and converted into colloidal silver with the assistance of reducing agents. When there are enough links between silver atoms, they can form a stable surface, and when the particles grow to a critical radius, they become stable. During this process, many molecules will attach to the surface of the silver particles, resulting in the stability of the silver nanoparticles.
Currently, researchers are exploring a variety of methods for synthesizing silver nanoparticles, including reducing sugar, using citric acid reduction, and using polyol methods. Each has its own unique synthesis techniques. Different conditions will produce silver nanoparticles of different shapes and sizes. Silver nanoparticles.
Synthesis method
Wet chemical method
Wet chemistry is the most common method for synthesizing silver nanoparticles. In this process, silver ions are reduced to the nanometer state under the action of reducing agents. This method incorporates a variety of different reducing agents and synthesis conditions, allowing effective control of the shape and size of the nanoparticles.
Monosaccharide reduction method
The monosaccharide reduction method uses monosaccharides such as glucose and fructose to reduce silver ions. This is a simple method that can usually be completed in one step without the intervention of nickel or other chemicals. Research shows that this method is not only environmentally friendly but also allows for accurate control of the size of nanoparticles.
Citric acid reduction method
This method was first recorded in 1889, using citric acid as a reducing agent to reduce the silver source to nanosilver. This process is simple and easy to implement and is often used to synthesize single-scale mass production of silver nanoparticles.
Polyol method
Polyol methods can provide a high degree of size and geometry control for nanoparticles, and ethylene glycol is often used as a reducing agent to synthesize silver nanoparticles. By changing reaction conditions, such as temperature and chemical environment, nanoparticles of different shapes can be produced.
Light-mediated synthesis
The light-mediated synthesis method uses the energy of light to promote the formation of silver nanoparticles. Studying the process of this method will help develop new synthesis pathways.
Biosynthesis
In recent years, the emergence of biosynthesis methods has provided environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional synthesis methods. Using plant, fungi, and even animal extracts to synthesize silver nanoparticles can not only reduce environmental pollution, but also improve the efficiency and stability of the synthesis process.
The biological preparation of silver nanoparticles is not only environmentally friendly, but can also further enhance the stability of silver nanoparticles, allowing them to be better used in medical and environmental applications.
As research continues, scientists are becoming increasingly fascinated by the diversity of silver nanoparticles and their potential uses. In the process of exploring these nanoparticles, we can't help but think about what kind of new era of technological application will the future development of silver nanoparticles lead us into?
