Synthesis of silver nanoparticles experiment with citric acid
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Answer: A method for the controllable synthesis of silver nanoparticles based on a complexing
agent method was developed. Citric acid was used as a complexing agent. The effect of pH (1.6 to 5.17) on
the size and net height (as obtained from XRD analyses) of silver nanoparticles was investigated.
The nanoparticles (10 to 40 nm) were characterized using XRD, TEM, SEM, EDX, UV-Vis spectroscopy and
TG/DTG instrument. It was found that pH has a significant influence on both size and crystallinity of the
nanoparticles. This is due to the effect of pH on the distribution of citrate ion species which in turn affects
the size and crystallinity of the nanoparticles. Increasing the pH value enhances the percentage of [citrate3-]
ion species which allows lower size and higher crystallinity of the nanoparticles. Thus, we were able
to develop a method for the controllable synthesis of nanoparticles based on the pH.
Explanation: