One-step and cost-effective synthesis of micrometer-sized saw-like silver nanosheets by oil/water interfacial method

One-step synthesis of silver saw-like nanosheets was introduced by using aqueous AgNO3 and benzene-soluble p-phenylenediamine (pPD). Based on the X-ray diffraction pattern and selected-area electron diffraction pattern, the silver was single crystal. As indicated by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy and the auxiliary characterization by Fourier transform infrared and Raman Spectroscopy, the nanosheets are ~ 20 μm in edge length and are coated by poly(p-phenylenediamine) (PpPD) thin films. The role of oil/water interface and PpPD on the formation of sheet-like morphology was analyzed. This method is facile and cost-effective.