SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLE

In a typical experiment 50 ml of 3M AgNO3 was heated to boiling. To this solution 5 ml of 1% trisodium citrate was added drop by drop. During the process solution was strirred vigorously. Solution was heated until colours change is evident (pale yellow). Then it was removed from heating elementand stirred until cooled to room temperature. Mechanism of reaction

 Ag + + e → Ag (Metallic silver in nm)

Overall reaction:
 4Ag+ + C6H5O7Na3 + H2O→ 4 Ag + C6H5O7H3 + 3Na+ + H+ +O2

Characterization:
Formation of silver nano particle can be confirmed using tool such as SEM (scanning electron microscope), TEM (transmission electron microscope) and AFM (atomic force microscope).

APPLICATIONS:
1. These nanoparticles are used in biomedical nanotechnology for example in cancer therapy.
2. These nanoparticles are used in nanoelectronics.
3. They are used in water purification.