Synthesis and Analysis of Polymorphic Silver Nanoparticles and Their Incorporation into the Polymer Matrix

Abstract

A chemical method was successfully used to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with various shapes. The shape of the nanoparticles affects the color of the colloid (spherical—yellow solution, triangular—blue, a mixture of spherical and triangular—green). The NaBH4, which acts as the main reducing agent and H2O2 have a significant impact on the shape of AgNPs. It has also been shown that the ratio between precursor, reducing, and the stabilizing agent is crucial for the formation of the required nanoparticles. The light sensitivity of AgNPs and the presence of H2O2 lead to a significant change in AgNPs’ shape and size with time and to the formation of the dichroic effect. UV–vis spectrophotometry, TEM, SEM/FIB, and EDX methods were used to analyze the shape, size, and composition of the nanoparticles. Polymer matrix composite with AgNPs was prepared by the “ex-situ” method.