Single-step, size-controlled synthesis of colloidal silver nanoparticles stabilized by octadecylamine

A single step process for the synthesis of size-controlled silver nanoparticles has been developed using a bifunctional molecule, octadecylamine (ODA). Octadecylamine complexes to Ag+ ions electrostatically, reduces them, and subsequently stabilizes the nanoparticles thus formed. Hence, octadecylamine simultaneously functions as both a reducing and a stabilizing agent.