Formation of nanoparticles and nanorods via UV irradiation of AgNO3 solutions

The synthesis of silver nanoparticles via UV irradiation of AgNO3 solutions was controlled by using UV–vis absorption spectra and TEM (transmission electron microscope) images. The UV–vis absorption method is good enough for the general control of synthesis process, and TEM images give us information about size of formed species. For investigated solutions of silver nitrate in ethanol and water, we observed formation of large nanoparticles (size about 100 nm) and nanorods (100 nm in length). Moreover, there was effort to confirm evidence of formation of these particles by using TOF mass spectrometer. Due to laser desorption/ionization process there is only evidence of small silver nanoparticles Agx, x ≤ 4 (clusters), and variety of silver compounds AgxNyOz (x ≤ 5, y ≤ 2, z ≤ 3).