Myristic acid capped silver nanoparticles: aqueous phase synthesis and pH-induced optical properties

Abstract

In this paper we report a facile route for synthesis of myristic acid (C13H27COOH) capped silver nanoparticles under ambient reaction conditions. AgNO3 has been reduced by NaBH4 in the presence of myristic acid in a water-methanol medium at room temperature. pH-induced optical properties of silver nanoparticle were investigated. Particles synthesized were characterized by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The myristic acid capped silver nanoparticles were found to be 3–7 nm in diameter and exhibit remarkable stability for more than six months. This synthetic route would be advantageous over previous reports of carboxylate stabilized silver nanoparticles using extreme reaction conditions. Noteworthy of the advantages of this synthetic method includes its production of silver nanoparticles in an aqueous medium at room temperature under no inert atmosphere, making the synthesis more environment...