Hydrothermal synthesis of silver crystals via a sodium chloride assisted route

• Silver crystals with three ditches on one of the facets were prepared.
• Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) acted as a mild reductant and capping agent.
• Sodium chloride served as Cl− sources to form AgCl compound.
• A simple hydrothermal method was employed.

Novel silver crystals with three ditches on one of the facets have been synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method using poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) as mild reductant and capping agent. Sodium chloride (NaCl) served as aCl− source, and the formation of AgCl compound could greatly reduce the amount of free Ag+ in solution and therefore can control the reaction rate. The factors including ratio of Ag+:Cl− and temperature on the shape as well as size of the silver product were investigated in detail, and higher concentration of NaCl was helpful in the formation of one-dimensional (1D) silver nanorods. This work provides a new way to fabricate silver crystals from insoluble salts, and it can be extended to synthesize other nanomaterials.

Novel silver crystals with three ditches on one of the facets have been successfully synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method using poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) as a mild reductant and capping agent, and sodium chloride (NaCl) served as a Cl− source.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide