Crystal growth of different morphologies (nanospheres, nanoribbons and nanoplates) of silver nanoparticles

Different silver nanomaterial (nanoribbons, nanospheres and tunicate nanoplates) have been prepared by silver-mirror reaction. [Display omitted] ► Formation of silver nanoplates, nanoribbons and nanospheres is reported in cetyltrimethlyammonium bromide. ► Ammonia concentrations and reaction time determined the morphology of silver nanoparticles. ► Peak and shoulder in the UV–vis spectra is due to the different optical properties of silver nanocrystals. Silver nanoribbons and nanoplates have been synthesized by the classical silver-mirror reaction by changing the reaction conditions at room temperature. It was found that the reaction time and [ammonia] were an important factor for the growth of nanoparticles having different morphologies. Silver nanoplates and nanoribbons can be achieved in high yield by adjusting the reaction time and ammonia content, respectively. The formation rate of silver nanoparticles was investigated by UV–visible spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected areas electron diffraction (SAED) have been employed to characterize the resulting nanoplates and nanoribbons. Ostwald ripening process was observed which caused fusion among growing small spheres silver nanoparticles leads to the formation of nanoribbons at lower [ammonia].