Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Continuous synthesis of colloidal silver nanoparticles by electrochemical discharge in aqueous solutions

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

Abstract

This article presents an electrochemical discharge (ECD) method that consists of a combination of chemical methods and electric arc discharges. In the method, 140 V is applied to an Ag electrode from a DC power supply. The arc-discharge between the electrodes produces metallic silver nanoparticles and silver ions in the aqueous solution. Compared with the original arc discharge, this ECD method creates smaller nanoparticles, prevents clumping of the nanoparticles, and shortens the production time. The citrate ions also reduce the silver ions to silver nanoparticles. In addition, the citrate ions cap the surface of the produced silver nanoparticles and the zeta potential increases. In this article, the weight loss of the electrodes and the reduction of silver ions to silver nanoparticles as a function of citrate concentration and electric conductivity of the medium are discussed. Furthermore, the properties of the colloidal silver prepared with ECD are analyzed by UV–Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, electrophoresis light scattering, and scanning electron microscopy. Finally, a continuous production apparatus is presented for the continuous production of colloidal silver.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

References

  • Chak SK, Rao PV (2007) Trepanning of Al2O3 by electro-chemical discharge machining (ECDM) process using abrasive electrode with pulsed DC supply. Int J Mach Tools Manuf 47:2061–2070

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng W, Dong S, Wang E (2002) Studies of electrochemical quantized capacitance charging of surface ensembles of silver nanoparticles. Electrochem Commun 4:412–416

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Henglein A, Giersig M (1999) Formation of colloidal silver nanoparticles: capping action of citrate. J Phys Chem B 103:9533–9539

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jinno M, Bandow S, Ando Y (2004) Multiwalled carbon nanotubes produced by direct current arc discharge in hydrogen gas. Chem Phys Lett 398:256–259

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liao YS, Huang JT, Chen YH (2004) A study to achieve a fine surface finish in Wire-EDM. J Mater Process Technol 149:165–171

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lo C-H, Tsung T-T, Lin H-M (2007) Preparation of silver nanofluid by the submerged arc nanoparticle synthesis system (SANSS). J Alloys Compd 434:659–662

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ozcan-Yilsay T, Lee W-J, Horne D, Lucey JA (2007) Effect of trisodium citrate on rheological and physical properties and microstructure of yogurt. J Dairy Sci 90:1644–1652

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peças P, Henriques E (2008) Electrical discharge machining using simple and powder-mixed dielectric: the effect of the electrode area in the surface roughness and topography. J Mater Process Technol 200:250–258

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pillai ZS, Kamat PV (2004) What factors control the size and shape of silver nanoparticles in the citrate ion reduction method? J Phys Chem B 108:945–951

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schumacher BM (2004) After 60 years of EDM the discharge process remains still disputed. J Mater Process Technol 149:376–381

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shin S-H, Ye M-K, Kim H-S, Kang H-S (2007) The effects of nano-silver on the proliferation and cytokine expression by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Int Immunopharmacol 7:1813–1818

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tarasenko NV, Butsen AV, Nevar EA (2005) Laser-induced modification of metal nanoparticles formed by laser ablation technique in liquids. Appl Surf Sci 247:418–422

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tseng K-H, Liao C-Y, Huang J-C, Tien D-C, Tsung T-T (2008) Characterization of gold nanoparticles in organic or inorganic medium (ethanol/water) fabricated by spark discharge method. Mater Lett 62:3341–3344

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zou X, Dong S (2006) Surface-enhanced raman scattering studies on aggregated silver nanoplates in aqueous solution. J Phys Chem B 110:21545–21550

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan

    Kuo-Hsiung Tseng & Yu-Chun Chen

  2. Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan

    Jing-Jong Shyue

  3. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Jing-Jong Shyue

Authors
  1. Kuo-Hsiung Tseng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yu-Chun Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jing-Jong Shyue
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jing-Jong Shyue.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Tseng, KH., Chen, YC. & Shyue, JJ. Continuous synthesis of colloidal silver nanoparticles by electrochemical discharge in aqueous solutions. J Nanopart Res 13, 1865–1872 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-010-9937-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-010-9937-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation