A facile route to well-dispersed single-crystal silver nanoparticles from [AgSO3]− in water

Well-dispersed single-crystal Ag nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized through a simple hydrothermal strategy in an aqueous solution of [AgSO3]−. The obtained Ag NPs are quasispherical in shape and the diameter of particles is ranging from 35 to 50 nm with a narrow size distribution. The proper choices of [AgSO3]− as precursor and PVP as stabilizer are the keys to the formation of Ag NPs. A possible formation mechanism was proposed. And the optical absorption property of the obtained Ag NPs was also investigated. The as-prepared Ag NPs exhibit an absorption band at ca. 430 nm, which is the characteristic surface plasmon resonance of spherical/quasispherical Ag NPs.

► Well-dispersed single-crystal Ag nanoparticles were synthesized in an aqueous solution of [AgSO3]−.
► The Ag NPs are quasispherical in shape and the diameter of particles is ranging from 35 to 50 nm with a narrow size distribution.
► The proper choices of [AgSO3]− as precursor and PVP as stabilizer are the keys to the formation of Ag NPs.
► A possible formation mechanism was proposed and the optical absorption property was also investigated.