Silver micro-, submicro- and nano-crystals using bovine bone as template. Formation of a silver/bovine bone composite

Bovine bone is employed as a template to support silver particles using the simple impregnation-reduction method of synthesis. SEM studies show that micro, submicro and nano silver crystals grow up on the surface and around bone pores with high faceted structures (hexagons and squares). More complex silver structures are also generated from the stacking of irregular silver plates. UV–vis spectra of silver nanoparticles in the silver-bone composites show the surface plasmon resonance band of Ag nanoparticles at 411 nm. TEM studies show Ag-nanoparticles below 50 nm with a FCC structure as confirmed by SAED.

► Impregnation-reduction method allowed formation of novel bovine bone/Ag composite.
► Bovine bone works as nanoreactor and template to obtain well defined Ag particles.
► Bovine bone/Ag is promising for use in catalysis and water purification treatments.