Preparation and characterization of silver nanoparticles using aniline

UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) have been employed to characterize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aniline and silver nitrate as reductant and oxidant, respectively. A broad surface resonance plasmon (SRP) band appears at 400 nm, indicating that the AgNPs are spherical. The TEM images show that AgNPs aggregated in an unsymmetrical manner, leading to the formation of beautiful silver nanocrystals. Aniline adsorbed onto the surface of Ag-nanocrystals through electrostatic, van der Walls forces and hydrogen bonding. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) acted as a stabilizer and/or capping agent.