Investigation into The Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles

Hydroxypropyl starch (HPS) is synthesized by using maize starch and different concentrations of both propylene oxide )PO) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) with the intent to obtain HPS products which can better serve as a reducing and stabilizing agent during the preparation of silver nanoparticles. Such a preparation is carried out under a variety of conditions which include: pH, temperature, duration of the reaction medium, molar substitution (MS) of HPS, and concentration of both HPS and silver nitrate (AgNO3). The yield of silver nanoparticle colloids is monitored via color and ultraviolet (UV) visible spectral analyses whereas their evaluation is performed by making use of a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to determine size and size distribution. The results obtained conclude that the optimum conditions for preparation of silver nanoparticle colloids with excellent size and size distribution which range from 6-8 nm could be produced by using 0.9 gm of HPS (MS = .84), 0.425 gm of AgNO3, a pH of 12, and temperature of 70°C for 15 minutes. Furthermore, the silver nanoparticle colloid solution prepared under these conditions is stable and remains without aggregation for more than six months. Thus preparation of a well stabilized silver nanoparticle solution with a concentration of 1608 ppm and a diameter of 9-18 nm can be achieved. A silver nanoparticle solution with these unique characteristics may be suitable for industrial applications.