Nanoplates controlled synthesis and catalytic activities of silver nanocrystals

The silver nanostructures, from nanoparticles (NPs) to nanorod and nanoplate, can be synthesized quantitatively with DMF (N,N′N,N′-dimethyl formamide) and PVA (Polyvinyl alcohol). Due to the anisotropic shape feature, the absorption spectra of the nanoplates prove to be quite different from that of spherical NPs. It may be due to the specific interaction between OH groups and Ag+ ions, which affect selective growth of various planes of silver nanocrystals. In addition, the catalytic activity of the obtained different shaped silver nanocrystals for hydrogen production has also been investigated. The silver nanoplates exhibit higher catalytic activities than silver NPs.