LSPR and SAXS studies of starch stabilized Ag–Cu alloy nanoparticles

We report the aqueous phase chemical reduction synthesis of starch stabilized Ag–Cu alloy nanoparticles. Changing the proportions of Ag and Cu precursor salts leads to different levels of solid solubility. The variations in the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) absorbance of sols are analyzed from the perspective of nanoparticles composition and their structural features. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis of the Ag–Cu nanoparticles sols shows the formation of mass fractal aggregate nanostructures in all cases.

TEM image of sample S6 having bimodal particles size distribution. Smaller nanostructures are Ag-rich while the larger nanostructures are Cu-rich.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Starch stabilized Ag–Cu NPs by chemical reduction route in aqueous medium.
► In all Ag–Cu systems, hexagonal Ag (rich)-2H phase formed.
► Bimodal size distribution of mass fractal aggregate nanoparticles.
► Effect of nanoparticle aggregation and alloy formation on the sol LSPR.