Size- and shape-controlled synthesis and assembly of a silver nanocomplex in UV-irradiated TSA solution

In this paper we describe the size-controlled synthesis of a silver nanocomplex based on the reduction of silver nitrate (AgNO3) by UV-irradiated tungstosilicate acid [H-4(SiW12O40), TSA] solution. This method allows the synthesis of ellipsoidal particles with an average size that is tunable between 2.4 and 84 nm by varying the molar ratio of silver nitrate to TS, the pH of the reaction solution and the reaction temperature. Silver nanorods can be formed from the ellipsoidal nanopartticles by controlling the aging time. The formation mechanism of these nanorods is also discussed. The nanoparticles are characterised by UV/Vis spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, XRD analysis, XPS, electron diffraction (ED), TEM, and with a Zetasizer instrument. (c) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & KGaA.