Size Controlled Miniscale Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using TEM Electron Beam

A method for one-pot size-controlled synthesis of silver nanoparticles is proposed and described. The synthesis is based on the reduction of silver-alkanethiolates complexes having highly ordered supramolecular structures through electron beam irradiation in transmission electron microscope (TEM). The method allows synthesis of silver nanoparticles of diameters between 1.9 nm and 5.9 nm. Different diameters within this range can be selected for by varying the acceleration voltage in TEM, alkyl chain length, and structure of the silver-alkanethiolates complexes.