Skip to main content
Log in

Low molecular weight compounds as effective dispersing agents in the formation of colloidal silver nanoparticles

  • Research Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Nanoparticle Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A convenient method to synthesize uniform, well-dispersed colloidal silver nanoparticles is described. Aldonic acid or α-hydroxy acid compounds of low molecular weight are used instead of polymeric compounds as dispersing agents to prepare silver nanoparticles. The size, conformation, and electrical conductivity of the silver nanoparticles, and the effect and function of the dispersing agents are investigated in detail. Using these low molecular weight compounds as dispersing agents, silver nanoparticles with a diameter of 10 nm or less and high electrical conductivity can be obtained. In addition, this procedure allows silver nanoparticles to be sintered at 150 °C, which is lower than that required for silver nanoparticle formulation using polymeric compounds (200 °C). The silver nanoparticles produced by this process can be used to prepare various inks and to manufacture electronic circuits. It is found that low molecular weight compounds are more effective dispersing agents than polymeric compounds in the formation of silver nanoparticles.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

XRD:

X-ray diffraction

TEM:

Transmission electron microscopy

EDS:

Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy

SEM:

Scanning electron microscopy

FT–IR:

Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy

C5H11O5COONa:

(2R,3S,4R,5R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexanoate (also called sodium gluconate)

AgNO3 :

Silver nitrate

Na3Ct:

Trisodium 2-hydroxypropane-1, 2, 3-tricarboxylate

DMAE:

2-(Dimethylamino) ethanol

PVP:

Polyvinylpyrrolidone

PVA:

Polyvinyl alcohol

References

  • Brust M, Walker M, Bethell D, Schiffrin DJ, Whyman R (1994) Synthesis of thiol-derivatised gold nanoparticles in a two-phase liquid–liquid dystem. J Chem Soc Chem Commun 1:801–802

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cho JW, So JH (2006) Polyurethane–silver fibers prepared by infiltration and reduction of silver nitrate. Mater Lett 60:2653–2656

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chou KS, Lai YS (2004) Effect of polyvinyl pyrrolidone molecular weights on the formation of nanosized silver colloids mater. Chem Phys 83:82–88

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hsu SLC, Wu RT (2007) Synthesis of contamination-free silver nanoparticle suspensions for micro-interconnects. Mater Lett 61:3719–3722

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Klueh U, Wagner V, Kelly S, Johnson A, Bryers JD, Biomed J (2000) Efficacy of silver-coated fabric to prevent bacterial colonization and subsequent device-based biofilm formation. Mater Res 53:621–631

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee H, Chou KS (2005) Inkjet printing of nanosized silver colloids. Nanotechnology 16:2411–2436

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis LN (1993) Chemical catalysis by colloids and clusters. Chem Rev 93:2693–2730

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Natsuki J, Abe T (2011) Synthesis of pure colloidal silver nanoparticles with high electroconductivity for printed electronic circuits: the effect of amines on their formation in aqueous media. J Colloid Interface Sci 359:19–23

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pathak S, Greci MT, Kwong RC, Mercado K, Prakash OGA, Thompson ME (2000) Synthesis and applications of palladium-coated poly(vinylpyridine) nanospheres. Chem Mater 12:1689–1985

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Radziuk D, Skirtach A, Sukhorukov GB, Shchukin DG, Möhwald H (2007) Stabilization of silver nanoparticles by polyelectrolytes and polyethylene glycol. Rapid Commun 28:848–855

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schmid G (1992) Large clusters and colloids. Metals in the embryonic state. Chem Rev 92:1709–1727

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sondi I, Goia DV, Matijevic E (2003) Preparation of highly concentrated stable dispersions of monodispersed silver nanoparticles. J Colloid Interface Sci 260:75–81

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tan Y, Dai X, Li Y, Zhu D (2003) Preparation of gold, platinum, palladium and silver nanoparticles by the reduction of their salts with a weak reductant—potassium bitartrate. J Mater Chem 13:1069–1075

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas JM (1988) Colloidal metals: past, present and future. Pure Appl Chem 60:1517–1528

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tsuruga S, Abe T (2008) Proceedings of the Pan-Pacific imaging conference, preparation of electro-conductive inkjet inks through silver halide photographic emulsion, Tokyo, Japan, p 56–59

  • Wang Y, Ren J, Deng K, Gui L, Tang Y (2000) Preparation of tractable platinum, rhodium, and ruthenium nanoclusters with small particle size in organic media. Chem Mater 12:1622–1627

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang H, Qiao X, Chen J, Wang X, Ding S (2005) Mechanisms of PVP in the preparation of silver nanoparticles. Mater Chem Phys 94:449–453

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Z, Zhao B, Hu L (1996) PVP protective mechanism of ultrafine silver powder synthesized by chemical reduction processes. J Solid State Chem 121:105–110

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang W, Qiao X, Chen J, Wang H (2006) Preparation of silver nanoparticles in water-in-oil AOT reverse micelles. J Colloid Interface Sci 302:370–373

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao G, Steven SE (1998) Multiple parameters for the comprehensive evaluation of the susceptibility of Escherichia coli to the silver ion. Biometals 11:27–32

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zielinska A, Skwarek E, Zaleska A, Gazda M, Hupka J (2009) Preparation of silver nanoparticles with controlled particle size. Procedia Chemistry 1:1560–1566

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Toshiaki Natsuki.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Natsuki, J., Natsuki, T. & Abe, T. Low molecular weight compounds as effective dispersing agents in the formation of colloidal silver nanoparticles. J Nanopart Res 15, 1483 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-013-1483-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-013-1483-y

Keywords

Navigation