Determination of Optimum Conditions for Nano-Silver Preparation from AgCl Based on the Taguchi Design by the Use of Optical Properties of Silver

The Taguchi method, with L25 (55) orthogonal array, was used as the experimental design to determine the optimum conditions for the nano-silver preparation from AgCl via wet chemical reduction method. Ammonia solution, d-fructose, and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) were used as solvent of AgCl, reducing agent, and stabilizing agent, respectively. The UV–visible absorption spectra (abs) of silver nanoparticles were analyzed to optimize their optical properties including the wavelength of maximum absorption (λmax), absorption efficiency (abs), and full width at half-maximum (fwhm), as well as the time of precipitation (t p). The experimental conditions were studied in the range of 2–10 M for NH3 concentration (N), 250–450 for [d-fructose]/[AgCl] (F), 6–54 for W PVP/W AgCl (P), 0–24 °C for reaction temperature (T), and 4–8 h for reaction time (t). The optimum conditions to obtain the minimum particle size or λmax from this study were N = 2 M, F = 300, P = 54, T = 0 °C, and t = 4 h. Under these conditions, the optimum amount of λmax was 365 nm. To maximize the abs, t p, and minimize the fwhm while keeping the λmax, three series of experiments, in alternative conditions, were performed. The total optimum conditions were N = 2 M, F = 450, P = 54, T = 6 °C, and t = 4 h, within the scope of the studied experiment.