Photochemical Synthesis of Anisotropic Silver Nanoparticles in Aqueous Solutions in the Presence of Sodium Citrate

The rapid one-step photochemical synthesis of anisotropic silver nanoparticles (ANPs) is reported. Silver ANPs were prepared from silver nitrate by a citrate route in aqueous solutions at room temperature under exposure to unfiltered light of a DRK 120 high-pressure mercury lamp. The silver ANPs form through one-electron reduction of the silver cation in its chelate complex with the production of sodium citrate photolysis. In the course of synthesis, small charged silver clusters and nanoparticles are formed first, which are then stabilized by citrate ions. Key factors that influence the synthesis of silver ANPs and their further transformation have been determined.