EFFECT OF IONIC STRENGTH ON MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTIC AND THE STABILITY OF Ag/ALGINATE NANOPARTICLES: THEORETICAL REVIEW BASED ON THE ENERGY OF PARTICLE FORMATION

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of ionic forces on morphological characteristics and stability of Ag/alginate nanoparticles. The ionic strength was varied by adding 0,17-12 mmol NaCl to the mixture before and after the formation of the Ag/alginate nanoparticles. The synthesis of Ag/alginate nanoparticles is carried out with the aid of microwave irradiation and utilizes sodium alginate as a reducing agent and stabilizer. The results showed that the addition of NaCl to the mixture of metal and alginate precursors before the formation of nanoparticles resulted in a decrease in particle size as NaCl concentration increases, due to a decrease in the rate of particle formation (J/Jmax) or an increase in the maximum Gibbs (ΔG(r*)) free energy of particle formation. Conversely, the addition of NaCl after the formation of nanoparticles resulted in an increase in particle size from about 10 nm to 150 nm due to aggregation. The addition of NaCl reduced the stability of the Ag/alginate nanoparticles both before and after the formation of the nanoparticles