Study on the effect of surface modifier on self-aggregation behavior of Ag nano-particle

► Four kinds of the mono-dispersed silver NPs with different capping agent were synthesized with diameters about 7, 3, 10, and 5 nm, respectively. ► HRTEM characterization also revealed the Ag/PVP, Ag/PAN, Ag/OA NPs are highly crystalline and the interplanar spacing was calculated. ► FTIR and TG-DSC were used to characterize the binding group of four molecules on Ag nano-particle's surface. ► The Effect of Surface Modifier on Self-Aggregation of Ag Nano-particle was discussed.