A Novel Method to Control the Size of Silver Nanoparticles Formed on Chabazite

High density, uniform, surface-supported nanosilver particles can be generated on mineral chabazite by thermal reduction of exchanged silver cations. These nanoparticles have properties unique from those of bulk silver, including antimicrobial activity, which are a function of particle size. In this study, the activation environment is manipulated in order to alter the average size of the silver particles. Nanoparticles with mean diameters of 4.2, 6.1 and 35.0 nm are formed in air, Ar and H-2 at 400 degrees C, respectively. Interaction with the surface of highly polarizing chabazite stabilizes the nanoparticles, and unreduced silver ions on the nanosilver surfaces may play a critical role in determining particle size.