Microwave-assisted synthesis of silver nanoparticles using poly-N-isopropylacrylamide/acrylic acid microgel particles

Microgel particles based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) were prepared by emulsion polymerization in the presence of N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide. The microwave technique was adopted for the preparation of highly stable and monodisperse silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using these microgels as a template via in situ reduction of silver nitrate in the presence of glucose as a reducing agent. The prepared NPs were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy. Fourier transform IR, and X-ray diffraction. The formation of Ag NPs was confirmed by the appearance of a surface plasmon absorption maximum at 429 nm. TEM showed that the spherical particles had an average diameter of 8.5 nm. The as-prepared Ag NPs were stable for more than 8 months at room temperature. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.