Synthesis and characterization of UV-irradiated silver/montmorillonite nanocomposites

We have successfully developed a simple method for preparing silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using UV irradiation of AgNO(3) in the interlamellar space of a montmorillonite (MMT) without any reducing agent or heat treatment. The properties of Ag/MMT nanocomposites were studied as a function of the UV irradiation period. UV irradiation disintegrated the Ag NPs into smaller size until a relatively stable size and size distribution were achieved. The results from UV-vis spectroscopy show that particles size of Ag NPs decrease with the increase of irradiation period. The crystalline structure of Ag NPs was determined by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). (C) 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.