Reduction and aggregation of silver ions in aqueous citrate solutions

•Complexation of citrate towards Ag+ ions and its clusters•Synthesis of small silver nanoparticles using radiolytic method in the presence of citrate•The role of citrate in the formation of small particles

Radiolytic reduction of Ag+ ions and the subsequent formation of Ag clusters were studied in aqueous citrate solutions. Pulse-radiolysis studies show that the presence of citrate in the solution affects the early processes, via complexation of Ag+ ions with the carboxyl moieties of the citrate. The ratio of citrate to Ag+ determines the kinetic consequences of the reduction and agglomeration processes. The complexation reduces somewhat the rate of reduction by hydrated electrons. However, when all the ions are complexed to the citrate, the surface plasmon absorption band becomes broader, albeit small, but nevertheless it provides extreme stability to the formed nanoparticles.

Graphical abstractTEM image of citrate capped silver nanoparticles.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide