One-step synthesis of micro-sized hexagon silver sheets by the ascorbic acid reduction with the presence of H2SO4

•The Ag micro-sized hexagon sheets is synthesised with ascorbic acid as reductant.•The reaction condition is mild, facile and cost effective.•The reactant used in the whole process is of low toxic and inexpensive.•The micro-sized silver sheets can be applied in the electronic pastes.

One-step synthesis of micro-sized hexagon silver sheets was introduced by using aqueous AgNO3 and ascorbic acid with H2SO4 as the additive at room temperature. The as-obtained silver products with high-purity were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The growth mechanism of the silver sheets was deduced as the orientated growth of the silver nuclei due to the adsorption of SO42- on the specific lattice plane, and the repulsion between the SO42-–SO42- hindered the further aggregation of the silver sheets. In addition, the H+ ions released by H2SO4 play an important role in reducing the reaction rate and promoting the oriented growth. Studies from the effects of different synthesis parameter on the silver sheets also support the above conclusions. The approach requires neither complex apparatus and sophisticated procedures nor any organic additives during the reaction, which has potential prospect in industrial production.

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